Team members of Shanxi Loongs celebrate after the match in Dongguan, Guangdong province, June 22, 2020. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
DONGGUAN - Ren Junwei scored team-high 33 points to help Shanxi Loongs rally to beat Jiangsu Dragons 106-102 to record their first win without overseas players in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Monday afternoon.
Shanxi started strongly, with Liu Guancen helping Shanxi take a lead with a three-pointer and Ren hitting a driving layup to start a 14-4 run
Shanxi started strongly, with Liu Guancen helping Shanxi take a lead with a three-pointer and Ren hitting a driving layup to start a 14-4 run.
Jiangsu didn't loose hope and fought back in the second quarter, with Antonio Blakeney chipping in 11 points as Jiangsu took a 52-46 lead.
Jiangsu then sparked a 10-2 run after Blakeney hit back-to back floaters to build a nine-point lead through the third quarter.
However, Jiangsu's advantage melted away with Shanxi turning up the defense in the fourth period.
Ren scored five straight points with 1:54 remaining before Tian Guisen connected from deep to allow Shanxi to edge ahead 104-102. Jiangsu never threatened again after the unstoppable Ren hit two free throws to seal the win for Shanxi.
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"I thought we competed hard and did a great job on defense in the fourth quarter and we bounced back," said Shanxi head coach Wang Fei.
Ren hit 11 of 15 shots, and grabbed seven rebounds, while proficient outside shooter Yuan Shuai had 15 points for Shanxi.
Wang also praised Tian Guisen's clutch 3-pointer, hailing the point guard's "courageous performance".
Blakeney got a game-high 35 points while his teammate Wu Guanxi contributed a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds.
"We led most of the time but lost the game, that was the disappointing thing. Wu has shown today how he can contribute, but we need others to help him," rued Memi Becirovic, head coach of Jiangsu.
Shanxi will face Sichuan Blue Whales on Wednesday night.
