Yi Jianlian sets CBA all-time rebounding record as Guangdong cruise

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Chinese basketball star Yi Jianlian set a milestone mark on Friday night as Guangdong Southeast Tigers thrashed Zhejiang Chouzhou 115-101 in the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league.

The 31-year-old renewed the all-time rebounding record in the CBA history as he grabbed 22 points and 10 rebounds to help Guangdong smash a hapless Zhejiang at home.

Host Guangdong came out firing on cylinders from the word go and registered a solid performance in the first quarter. Zhou Peng's two points took the home team's lead to 10-1.

Guangdong, currently the table-toppers in the league, continued with their impressive performance and saw their lead soar to 11 after Yi's magnificent outside shootings.

With this Yi notched up a total of 4,984 rebounds during his CBA career, breaking the previous 4,978-rebound record held by Mengke Bateer.

Subsequently, Guangdong ended the opening quarter 36-26.

Yi Jianlian set the record for having the most rebounds in CBA history passing Mengke Bateer record of 4978 rebounds on February 15, 2019. /CGTN

In the second, Zhejiang still couldn't manage to get better of Guangdong as Zhou Peng's 3-pointers helped the hosts extend their lead.

Guangdong's Sonny Weems took two points through a long pass from his teammate Malcolm Delaney as the team established an 18-point leading advantage.

Zhejiang began to fight back from the beginning of the third quarter, but a row erupted between the two sides as Zhejiang coach Liu Weiwei and Guangdong's Zhou Peng were both punished for technical fouls.

Guangdong made more mistakes on the court as Ren Junfei's pass went out of the line and Zhejiang went on to narrow the deficit in the third quarter with the scoreline of 88-74.

In the last quarter, Zhejiang failed to stop their fancied rivals from holding on to their two-digit lead and eventually, Zhejiang lost 101-115.

With this remarkable victory, Guangdong consolidated their position as the hot favorites to win the title by sitting comfortably atop the CBA standings. Elsewhere, Bayi Rockets claimed an overtime win over Jilin Northeast Tigers 124-123, Shandong Golden Stars defeated Tianjin Gold Lion, Sichuan Blue Whale edged past Nanjing Tongxi Dasheng while Zhejiang Guangsha Lions trounced Shanghai Sharks.

Meanwhile, Qingdao Eagles lost to Shenzhen Leopards and Fujian Sturgeon defeated Xinjiang Flying Tigers.