ZHUJI, China, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Former NBA player Jimmer Fredette played a leading role in helping the Shanghai Sharks edge the Shanxi Loongs 95-88 in the first round of the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA) here on Sunday.

Fredette notched a game-high 26 points, five rebounds and two assists, while his teammate Dong Hanlin grabbed 13 points and 11 rebounds. Shanxi's Ren Junwei pocketed a team-high 24 points and eight rebounds.

In the first quarter, thanks to the double three-pointers contributed by forward Yan Peng, Shanghai established a 23-20 advantage before the second quarter.

Shanxi launched aggressive attack to take a double-digit lead in the second period, making it harder for Shanghai to cut the deficit. The score was locked at 44-37 before the interval.

The game became closely-contested in the third quarter as Marcus Denmon made a critical three-pointer to tie the score 64-64, who was later awarded three chances of free throws due to Shanxi's unsportsmanlike fouls, seizing two of them.

Fredette continued to stand out in the last quarter with a three pointer and two free throws to enlarge the gap to 80-70. Shanghai kept the 10-point lead until 87-77 when forward Zong Zan made a technical foul. Shanghai slowed down the rhythm at the final moments, but they did not give Shanxi any opportunity to create fouls and seal the victory.

"It was a hard game for us. We definitely did not play great, but we played hard. During this period, we have been together, and our chemistry was great. I give the credit to all our guys," said Fredette. Enditem

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