Xinjiang cruise past Guangsha, Liaoning win in double overtime

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Xinjiang Flying Tigers hammered Zhejiang Guangsha Lions 134-100, while defending champions Liaoning Flying Leopards edged Fujian Sturgeons 124-118 after a grueling double overtime in the second phase play-offs of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Tuesday.

Both Xinjiang and Liaoning defended home courts in their first games in the best-of-five series.

With Han Dejun injured, the game in Shenyang between Liaoning and Fujian became a clash between Guo Ailun and Wang Zhelin. Guo seemed to have taken away the game with his 21 points within the first half, after which Liaoning led 54-42, but lost his form in the third. Wang kept scoring steadily, with Chen Linjian and Zhao Tailong helping him. Fujian narrowed the gap and trailed just 77-74 as the third quarter ended.

In the fourth quarter, Eugene Jeter and Chen combined to rain down three-pointers, but Guo's tip shot and free throw helped Liaoning tie the scores 103-103 when regular time ended.

Both sides went basket for basket during the first overtime. With 17 seconds remaining, Liaoning led 115-112 after Guo missed one of two free throws, but Huang Yichao drilled a three-pointer from the corner just before the buzzer. It was Guo and Brandon Bass who finally killed the game by scoring in the painted area during the last phase of the second overtime.

Guo scored a game-high 46 points, while Wang had 31 points and 23 rebounds.

Meanwhile, in Urumqi, Xinjiang faced little resistance as Guangsha, who advanced into second phase after an exhausting 2-1 series over Zhejiang Chouzhou, had no reliable scorers except Courtney Fortson. Unstoppable Abudushalamu showed his muscle with eight rebounds and a game-high 33 points, leading Xinjiang past the runners-up.