🔥 What a game! The Shanxi Loongs pulled off a stunning 106-101 victory over the Beijing Ducks on Monday night in Taiyuan, ending the Ducks' impressive six-game winning streak. 🏀
The Loongs started strong with a 7-0 run, but the Ducks didn't stay quiet for long, answering back with an 11-0 surge of their own. The intensity was palpable as both teams exchanged blows like heavyweights in a championship bout. 🥊
When Shanxi's starters caught a breather, the team struggled to keep up, but Richard Solomon and Zhang Cairen stepped up, raining threes from downtown to keep the Loongs ahead 28-21 after the first quarter. 🎯
In the second quarter, Brandon Goodwin and Ibrahima Faye charged into Beijing's paint with determination, tying the score at 33 just three minutes in. The Ducks relied on the athleticism and size of Solomon and Zhou Qi to counter. Fouls flew left and right as both sides fought fiercely, with Beijing holding a slim 57-56 lead at halftime. ⏱️
The third quarter was a physical battle, with players frequently heading to the free-throw line. Beijing managed an 11-0 run midway through, but Hamidou Diallo drew crucial fouls, sinking four free throws to keep Shanxi within striking distance at 85-82. 💪
As the fourth quarter kicked off, Diallo and Liu Chuanxing caused havoc in the paint, pushing Shanxi ahead 89-87 after breaking a two-minute scoring drought. The tension was sky-high as neither team could pull away. Zhou Qi's hook shot tied it up at 97 with less than two minutes remaining. ⏳
Enter Zhang Ning. With ice in his veins, he nailed six clutch free throws, sealing the deal for Shanxi as Beijing's Zeng Fanbo and Eugene German missed critical three-pointers in the dying moments. The Loongs fans erupted as their team snapped the Ducks' winning streak. 🎉
Fans couldn't have asked for a more thrilling showdown! 🥳 Who's ready for the next game?
Reference(s):
Zhang Ning's key free throws end Beijing's winning streak for Shanxi
cgtn.com
