In an electrifying showdown at the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup in Xi'an, the Beijing Ducks clinched a nail-biting 104-94 overtime win against the Shanxi Loongs to secure third place on Friday night.
The game kicked off with Shanxi dominating the first quarter, thanks to an unstoppable performance by Hamidou Diallo, who dazzled fans with his triples, aggressive drives, and foul draws, pushing Shanxi to a 26-18 lead.
However, Beijing didnโt back down. In the second quarter, they ramped up their defense, restricting Shanxi to just two points over two minutes. Stars like Eugene German and Fang Shuo hit crucial shots from downtown, narrowing the gap to a mere one point, 51-50, by halftime.
The tension remained high in the third quarter, with both teams exchanging leads. A pivotal moment came when Fang blocked a shot by Yuan Shuai and followed it up with a buzzer-beater layup, giving Beijing a slim 72-71 advantage.
The fourth quarter was a three-point frenzy, with Fang, Yuan, German, and Brandon Goodwin all sinking triples to keep the score tied at 89-89 as the clock wound down. Dialloโs defensive prowess in the final seconds forced the game into overtime.
During the extra period, Beijing's improved three-point shooting proved decisive. Shanxi struggled to find their rhythm, allowing the Ducks to outscore them 15-5 and ultimately secure the victory.
With this win, the Beijing Ducks not only showcased their resilience and teamwork but also thrilled fans with one of the most exciting finishes in CBA Club Cup history. ๐๐
Reference(s):
Beijing Ducks beat Shanxi Loongs in OT to finish third in CBA Club Cup
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