Zhou Qi (3rd L) and other players of Xinjiang Flying Tigers react during the flag-raising ceremony before a match between Bayi Rockets and Xinjiang Flying Tigers at the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)
QINGDAO, China, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Bayi Rockets edged the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 83-76 here on Tuesday, as the league's bottom side recorded their first victory since the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league resumed this month.
11 players contributed points to the win for Bayi, with forward Lei Meng posting a team-high 12 points and 12 rebounds. Zhou Qi of Xinjiang racked up a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds, but only shot 7 for 20.
"We have no excuses for the defeat today. They played better than us, and seized every chance to win the game," rued Xinjiang head coach Adiljan at the post-game press conference.
Xinjiang could hardly make play in the paint area before they sped up the game with fast breaks, but Bayi were determined to win the game with an intense defense, restricting their opponents to only 32 points at half-time for an eight-point lead.
"Every one of us played hard, and we did not make mistakes at the crucial time," commented Bayi head coach Wang Zhizhi, adding that his side claimed victory through a great defensive team effort.
Bayi extended the gap to 14 points at the beginning of the third quarter by pouring on three-pointers. Led by Zhou, Xinjiang tried to reverse the tide with fierce attacks, but they were trapped into foul trouble early in the last quarter.
