Liaoning Hunters escaped from being the first team to be wiped off in straight games as it beat Guangdong Hongyuan 105-96 in the final of the Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA) in Bayuquan, North China on Wednesday.

 

Guangdong, which led the series by 3-1, could close up the best-of-seven series on Friday's home game. And if not, it has to come back here on Sunday for Game 6.

 

Zhang Qingpeng had a game-high 31 points while Olumide Oyedeji had 25 points and 11 rebounds for Liaoning.

 

"People were talking about wipe-off and a recording 4-0 before the match. Tonight we came out for the best match in my two-year coaching career here," Liaoning's coach Guo Shiqiang said.

 

Liaoning scored over 100 points for the first time in four games and gave lots of pressure inside the key.

 

Power forward Li Xiaoxu scored 10 out of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory despite dismal performances in the previous three games.

 

"This is my first final. I had too much pressure before. But tonight I collected my confidence and did what I should do," Li said.

 

Zhu Fangyu led Guangdong with 29 points but shot 2-out-of-8 on 3-pointers, the worst in four games.

 

"We didn't expect them to attack from the post. We underestimated their come-back under such circumstances. I took the responsibility for the loss," Guangdong's coach Li Chunjiang said.

 

Li scored 11 straight points at the beginning and the first half was quite even as teams exchanged lead several times.

 

The turning point came before the break when Liaoning used a 15-1 run to take a 61-50 lead on Yang Ming's beat-the-buzzer 3-pointer.

 

Guangdong closed it to under 10 points several time but never really challenged the home team's leading position.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)