Wang Zhelin of Fujian Sturgeons celebrates, July 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Last CBA playoff quota goes to Fujian

QINGDAO, China, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Fujian Sturgeons edged the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 106-101 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Monday, qualifying for the CBA playoffs as the last team out of 12.

Two dunks from center Zhou Qi helped Xinjiang build a 13-point lead in the first quarter. Thanks to nine points from Chen Linjian, Fujian managed to tie the game 26-26 at the end of the quarter.

Launching a 9-0 run in the second quarter, the Flying Tigers extended the lead to double digit for a brief period and were seven points ahead before the second half.

Fujian took a 76-71 lead after scoring 10 points in a row at the beginning of the third quarter.

Two sides tied the game again 101-101 just before the buzzer. Center Wang Zhelin buried a three-pointer and grabbed a key rebound to seal Fujian's victory, meaning Zhou's 22 points and 26 rebounds were in vain.

Chen got a game-high 32 points for Fujian, Ty Lawson finished with 27 points, and Wang had 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Fan Ziming took 21 points and 10 rebounds for Xinjiang, Tang Caiyu collected 15 points from five three-pointers out of eight, and Liu Lipeng added 13 points.