CBA Roundup: Lions stay on top, Blue Whales remain winless

BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Zhejiang Lions tightened their grip on the top of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) standings after beating the Qingdao Eagles 90-75 in the 17th round which concluded on Tuesday.

Zhejiang seized control in the second quarter and carried a 12-point lead into the break. Joshua Carlton anchored the Lions with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Barry Brown Jr. added 15 points. Qingdao made several attempts to rally in the final period but were unable to seriously threaten the hosts.

Joseph Young led Qingdao with 20 points.

The Lions kept the top place with a 15-2 win-loss record after winning the match.

In Shanghai, the Sharks overturned a halftime deficit to beat the Beijing Ducks 86-67. Brandon Goodwin scored 24 points as Shanghai surged ahead with a 10-0 run early in the third quarter to swing the momentum.

Hassan Whiteside dominated the paint at both ends, and Shanghai's defense held Beijing to just 21 points in the second half. The Ducks' offense faltered down the stretch as the hosts pulled away.

The Sharks took the second place on the standings with 14-3.

The Guangdong Southern Tigers overpowered the Sichuan Blue Whales 104-76 behind a stellar all-around display from Trevelin Queen, who finished with 36 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. The visitors took control early, opening up a nine-point lead in the first quarter and gradually widening the gap thereafter.

Sichuan struggled to find offensive rhythm against Guangdong's pressure defense and never cut the deficit below double digits after halftime.

Shamorie Ponds led the hosts with 26 points, but the Blue Whales fell to another heavy defeat. The Blue Whales, who claimed the league title ten years ago, were still fighting for their first victory of the season after 17 rounds.

Elsewhere, the Guangzhou Loong Lions overwhelmed the Beijing Royal Fighters 104-75, the Shandong Heroes defeated the Jilin Northeast Tigers 77-68, the Fujian Sturgeons beat the Nanjing Monkey Kings 105-91, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers breezed past the Jiangsu Dragons 89-65, the Shanxi Loongs edged the Liaoning Flying Leopards 90-86, the Tianjin Pioneers outlasted the Ningbo Rockets 103-93, and the Shenzhen Aviators took down the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 92-90. Enditem