The Xinjiang Flying Tigers defeated the Qingdao Eagles 95-86 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup game in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Saturday.

The two teams exchanged leads several times in the first quarter before Qingdao finished with a 27-23 lead. Xinjiang took a hit at the beginning of the second quarter when their starting guard Zhao Rui exited the game injured in his ankle.

It was Zhao's second appearance since a return from injury, having played no more than five minutes with three points. He has been haunted by injuries since joining the team in 2023, playing only 14 games for them last season and five so far this season.

However, Zhao's exit didn't hold Xinjiang back. On the contrary. The visitors outscored the opponents 30-18 in the second quarter to sit on top 53-48 after the first half. The momentum continued in their favor in the third quarter in which Xinjiang drove a 12-0 run and extended their lead to 16 points, 80-64, after three quarters.

Qingdao launched a desperate rally when the fourth quarter began and closed 87-84 by exploiting a scoring drought by the opponents. Nonetheless, Xinjiang then bounced back and responded with a 15-0 run.

In the end, Qin Lin and QJ Peterson completed a four-point and a three-point plays respectively to seal the deal for Xinjiang.