XI'AN, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Feng Jiawei netted 26 points as the Shaanxi Wolves fended off the Suke Lion 91-85 on Wednesday, kicking off their 2023 Chinese National Basketball League (NBL) season.
The NBL resumed its home-and-away format in 2020. Yang Wenxue got Shaanxi off to an 8-3 start, but a 10-point contribution from Prince Kamunga put the Suke Lion ahead by five points after the first quarter.
Czech international Ondrej Balvin assisted the Suke Lion in expanding its lead to double digits early in the second quarter. Despite this, the home side continued to challenge and managed a three-point lead at halftime.
Lu Duwei's layup put Shaanxi lead 72-53 entering the final quarter. While the visitors managed to trim the deficit to five with 45 seconds remaining, Gao Yan nailed six free throws in response to the fouling tactic, placing the game beyond the Suke Lion's grasp.
Feng Jiawei led Shaanxi with a game-high 26 points, and Yang registered a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds. Yu Xiang paced the Suke Lion with 21 points. ■
