BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Jared Sullinger pocketed 23 points and 13 rebounds as the Shenzhen Aviators rallied past the Guangdong Southern Tigers 98-95 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Friday.

Guangdong jumped to an 11-2 lead after the tip-off and moved ahead to 33-21 in the first period. Guangdong extended their advantage to 20 points early in the second quarter, but Shenzhen showed their tenacity and pulled within 46-38 at halftime.

Shenzhen kept chasing in the third quarter as Shen Zijie's free throw earned them a 66-65 lead with 40.9 seconds remaining during the period.

Shen suffered a waist injury in the fourth period but returned five minutes later. Sullinger's layup and jumper on consecutive possessions gave Shenzhen an 89-84 lead with 2:33 to play.

Sullinger converted five of eight free throws afterward against Guangdong's fouls tactic. Guangdong forward Ren Junfei's potential game-tying shot beyond the arc rimmed out.

He Xining added 18 points for Shenzhen. On the Guangdong side, Zhao Rui and Justin Hamilton each scored 18.

Zhang Fan contributed 26 points and five assists as the Beijing Royal Fighters smashed the Shandong Heroes 104-89.

The Royal Fighters, who had failed to secure a playoff berth, snapped their three-game losing streak.

In the other game played on Friday, the Qingdao Eagles beat the Jilin Northeast Tigers 102-92. Enditem

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