Beijing Ducks rally past Liaoning Flying Leopards in CBA Club Cup

At the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup, Anunwa Omot scored a game high 20 points to help the Beijing Ducks beat the Liaoning Flying Leopards 90-78 to claim their second straight win in Group D in Qingdao on Wednesday. 

On the second day of action at the CBA Club Cup, a heavyweight battle saw three-time defending league champions Liaoning take on this season's top team, Beijing. This was the first meeting between the two powerhouses this season, as well as the first time for Liaoning coach Yang Ming to face new Beijing coach Xu Limin. But the all-Chinese Flying Leopards line-up was missing several key players, while the Ducks, who started 9-1 in league play, having already bagged an opening win over hosts Qingdao.

Without several national team players, as well as last season's Finals MVP Kyle Fogg, Liaoning enjoyed a surprisingly strong start, powered by veteran center Han Dejun, who scored their opening six points. But Beijing quickly battled back, and the three-time former CBA champions headed into half-time leading 13 points.

After half-time, Han maintained his good form, as the 37-year-old goes five-for-five from the field for 10 points. Liaoning's young talents Li Huyi and Zhang Junhao also showed their potential to help cut the deficit to single digits. But Anunwa Omot's game-high 20 points led five Beijing players in double figures, and their fourth-quarter push sealed the deal 90-78, and the forward from South Sudan saying he enjoyed facing the three-time reigning league title-holders.

The victory kept Beijing on top of the group with two wins, while Liaoning sat at the bottom, with the rivalry between these two strong teams set to continue in league play. 

Earlier, hosts Qingdao beat Nanjing 89-80, leaving both sides with one win and one loss. The top two teams from each group will reach the knockout stage in the CBA Club Cup, with the champions to be decided in February.

Liu Jiaqi reported from Qingdao.