ZHUJI, China, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Guangdong Southern Tigers overwhelmed the Beijing Royal Fighters 123-96, while the Tianjin Pioneers shocked league leaders Zhejiang Golden Bulls 96-88 in the 2022-23 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league here on Thursday.
Guangdong ended the first quarter with a 9-0 run to go up at 38-23. The CBA powerhouse had a 11-0 sprint in the second period and expanded the advantage to 28 points at the break, putting the game beyond reach.
MarShon Brooks led Guangdong with 22 points, followed by 21 from Zhang Hao. Justin Hamilton added 17 points and five rebounds. Trae Golden had a game-high 28 points for Beijing, while Luo Kaiwen finished with 14 points.
Tianjin rallied from 61-55 down at the break to build a five-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Zhejiang opened the final period with a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to one point at 80-79, only for Tianjin to answer with a 7-3 run and hold on until the buzzer.
Brandon Jefferson had 20 points for Tianjin. Quinndary Weatherspoon added 15 points and five rebounds. Zhejiang's Moses Wright finished 22 points and 13 rebounds. Liu Zheyi contributed 16 points and 17 rebounds.
The loss left Zhejiang with a 21-4 record, only one victory ahead of second-placed Liaoning Flying Leopards, who rode on a six-game winning streak. ■
