CBA Roundup: Qi Lin scores 26 as Xinjiang edges Fujian in overtime

BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Xinjiang Flying Tigers marked a fresh start under interim coach Kang Jungsoo with a 111-108 overtime win over the Fujian Sturgeons in the 10th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season on Sunday night.

Xinjiang, which had opened the campaign with three wins and six defeats, announced Saturday that Liu Wei had stepped down as head coach, with South Korean coach Kang taking over on an interim basis.

The hosts showed a noticeably different attitude from the opening tip, repeatedly finding success with inside scoring. However, they struggled to contain former Xinjiang guard Travis Trice, who attacked relentlessly from both inside and beyond the arc to lead Fujian to a 59-55 halftime advantage.

Xinjiang regrouped after the break and rediscovered the rhythm that had fueled its success in recent seasons. Small forward Qi Lin sparked the turnaround, drawing fouls and scoring seven straight points to help Xinjiang seize control.

In the fourth quarter, Trice once again proved unstoppable, and his pull-up jumper in the closing moments forced overtime for Fujian.

Fujian went cold in the extra period, while Xinjiang capitalized the chance to build its lead. Team captain Abdusalam Abdurexit converted a key basket at the rim late on, and Fujian failed to score on consecutive possessions as Xinjiang secured the victory.

Xinjiang had five players in double figures, led by Qi's 26 points. Trice poured in a game-high 41 points for Fujian.

Defending champion Zhejiang Lions defeated the Beijing Ducks 77-74 for the second time this season despite playing without star guard Barry Brown. The Guangdong Southern Tigers picked up a narrow road win, beating the Beijing Royal Fighters 93-89.

In the remaining games of the round, the Liaoning Flying Leopards overcame the Jilin Northeastern Tigers 86-72, the Shandong Heroes beat the Nanjing Monkey Kings 107-94, the Shanxi Loongs downed the Jiangsu Dragons 91-77, the Guangzhou Loong Lions edged the Tianjin Pioneers 108-106, the Shanghai Sharks beat the Ningbo Rockets 95-90, the Qingdao Eagles defeated the Sichuan Whales 109-97, and the Shenzhen Leopards overpowered the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 92-82. Enditem