CBA Roundup: Clark's 34 points helps Xinjiang rally past Liaoning 114-111
Updated 22:23, 20-Jan-2020
CGTN
Ian Clark of Xinjiang Flying Tigers (R) is defended by Zhao Jiwei of Liaoning Flying Leopards during a CBA game in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, northeast China, January 19, 2020.

Ian Clark of Xinjiang Flying Tigers (R) is defended by Zhao Jiwei of Liaoning Flying Leopards during a CBA game in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, northeast China, January 19, 2020.

Ian Clark scored 34 points and dished out 13 assists while the Xinjiang Flying Tigers overcame the Liaoning Flying Leopards 114-111 in the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Sunday night.

"When we were in a tough time, Clark stood out and contributed a terrific performance," said Xinjiang's head coach Adijan.

Led by Han Dejun, Liaoning took a firm control with a 12-0 run to start the game, which forced Adijan to call a timeout.

Brandon Bass dominated inside and scored 13 points in the second to help Liaoning extend the lead to 19.

With Xinjiang's backcourt duo of Xiralijan Muhatar and Clark found their hot hands, the Flying Tigers responded a 12-0 run and cut a 19-point deficit to five going into the second half.

Xinjiang never surpassed Liaoning after the opening minutes, and Zhou Qi's two free throws regained control in the third.

Ian Clark (L) and Zhou Qi (R) of Xinjiang Flying Tigers in action during a CBA game against Liaoning Flying Leopards in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, northeast China, January 19, 2020.

Ian Clark (L) and Zhou Qi (R) of Xinjiang Flying Tigers in action during a CBA game against Liaoning Flying Leopards in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, northeast China, January 19, 2020.

Liaoning closed within 111-108 after Lance Stephenson's free throws, but couldn't catch up.

When Zhou Qi hit a dagger shot from the 3-point line with 31.5 seconds remaining, Xinjiang were never challenged again.

Zhou Qi and Xiralijan each got 20 points for Xinjiang, while Stephenson had a team-high 31 points.

In a road loss 107-95 to the Jilin Northeast Tigers, the Bayi Rockets' center Zou Yuchen returned to the lineup after recovering from an ACL rupture in left knee. Zhou had not played since 2017 and contributed four points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.

Darius Adams of Qingdao Eagles (R) in action during a CBA game against Fujian Sturgeons in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, southeast China, January 19, 2020.

Darius Adams of Qingdao Eagles (R) in action during a CBA game against Fujian Sturgeons in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, southeast China, January 19, 2020.

Darius Adams made two key free throws to help the Qingdao Eagles square off against the Fujian Sturgeons 112-110.

After Li Qiuping was reassigned as new position in the club, the miserable Shanghai Sharks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 113-106 victory over the Shenzhen Aviators.

Beijing Ducks 86-79 Jiangsu Dragons

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The Ducks claimed their second consecutive win and gave the Dragons the third loss in a row. Jeremy Lin exploded in the first half to drop 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and buried two triples. The Ducks once extended their lead to 17 points in the third quarter. Though the Dragons tried their best to catch up and narrowed the score difference down to six points in the last quarter, their efforts came too late.

After a boiling hot first half, Lin only got one point in the second half, but he's still to help Beijing with his passing, which helped Chang Lin bury a valuable 3-pointer.

"It gave me a chance to rest, and get a look at the game, and see the game from afar, and I think in the long run it'll help, even though right now I'm trying to find my legs and my rhythm, but yeah, I think I improved cerebrally," said Lin after the game about his time being removed from Beijing's roster.

Elsewhere, Sun Minghui and Hu Jinqiu combined for 50 points as the Zhejiang Lions beat the Beijing Royal Fighters 95-90 at home. The Zhejiang Golden Bulls swept the Tianjin Pioneers with 118-102 while the Sichuan Blue Whales won over the Guangzhou Loong Lions 111-107.

(CGTN Sports Scene has contributed to this story)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency