In a gripping showdown in the Chinese Basketball Association, the Beijing Ducks beat the Guangzhou Loong Lions 97-89 at home on Friday, despite the early exits of three key players due to fouls. The victory was cemented by a late three-pointer from little-used rookie Zhang Penghui, whose timely shot proved crucial in the closing moments.

Beijing started strong, with early threes from Chen Ying-Chun and Omari Spellman setting the tone. Fang Shuo deftly found Zhang Cairen for another corner triple, allowing the Ducks to establish a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

The tide turned in the second quarter, however, as Guangzhou's Lindell Wigginton relentlessly attacked the basket, en route to a game-high 33 points. His tough layup against Zhou Qi brought the Loong Lions back into contention and they grabbed a 49-48 lead at halftime.

Wigginton continue to drive into the paint in the fourth quarter, with his quick penetration leading to fouls that sidelined Zhou, Chen and Fang. With the personnel situation dire and time running out, Beijing coach Xu Limin turned to the 21-year-old Zhang Penghui for a rare appearance.

Up by just four points after a missed shot from Guangzhou's Justin Holiday, Beijing capitalized on a rebound from captain Zhai Xiaochuan. Completing a seamlessly-executed fast break, Zhai passed the ball into the corner where Zhang drained the clutch three-pointer with poise on his sole attempt of the night, helping seal the hard-fought victory.

The win provisionally moved the Ducks into third place.

In other action, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls edged out the Liaoning Flying Leopards 81-76 at home in Yiwu. Zhejiang provisionally ascended to seventh place, while Liaoning remained ninth.