The Beijing Ducks soared to a dramatic overtime win against the Shanxi Loongs, clinching third place at the CBA Club Cup in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Friday night.
The game kicked off with Shanxi dominating the first quarter, thanks to Hamidou Diallo's explosive performance. Diallo was on fire, sinking triples, driving to the rim, and drawing fouls, helping Shanxi build a 26-18 lead by the end of the first period.
In the second quarter, Shanxi stretched their lead to 38-25, but the Ducks responded with a fierce defensive push. Beijing's Eugene German and Fang Shuo hit crucial downtown shots, narrowing the gap to just one point, 51-50, at halftime.
The intensity remained high in the third quarter, with both teams keeping the score tight. A pivotal moment came when Fang Shuo blocked a shot from Yuan Shuai and followed it up with a buzzer-beating layup, giving Beijing a narrow 72-71 lead.
The fourth quarter was a shootout, with both teams knocking down triples. Players like Fang, Yuan, German, and Brandon Goodwin kept the score tied at 89-89 as the clock wound down, forcing the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Beijing extended their three-point shooting spree while Shanxi struggled to find their rhythm. The Ducks outscored the Loongs 15-5 in OT, ultimately securing a 104-94 victory and the third spot on the podium.
Reference(s):
Beijing Ducks beat Shanxi Loongs in OT to finish third in CBA Club Cup
cgtn.com
