CHN – DongGuan rout Zhejiang Lions in top five clash

BEIJING (CBA) - Lebanese American Jackson Vroman had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Josh Akognon added 14 points as DongGuan Leopards posted a 110-100 home win over Zhejiang Golden Lions in clash between two teams jostling for position in the top five.

Zhejiang’s defeat, combined with Jiangsu’s 117-98 triumph against Qingdao Double Star, dropped the former to fifth at the end of Round 26 action.

Meanwhile, league leaders Xinjiang cruised to their fifth win in a row – after suffering their lone defeat of the season to Shandong – with a 108-87 whipping of Shanghai Sharks, who are coached by China’s National Team coach Bob Donewald Jr. Quincy Douby had 40 points in the winning cause.

Guangdong held on to third place by registering their third win on the trot with a 116-85 rout of bottom-ranked Fujian Xunxin 116-85. Marcus Haislip had 31 points and 10 rebounds for Guangdong.

Elsewhere, Jordanian stars Sam Daghlas and Zaid Abbaas were involved in a battle of wits.

Daghlas, the CBA leader in assists with 9.5 assists per game, just missed out on a triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in leading Shanxi to a 109-104 win over Beijing. Abbaas had 18 points and 14 rebounds for in the loss for the Ducks.

Birthday boy’s effort in vain
Stephon Marbury (in green in picture) celebrated his 34th birthday on Sunday with a game-high 23 points but it wasn't enough as his team Foshan were edged out 67-66 by Liaoning.

China’s young sensation Guo Ailun had 21 points to lead Liaoning and made the winning baskets in the dying seconds.

CBA Round 26 (home team first): Beijing 104 Shanxi Zhongyu 109; Xinjiang 108 Shanghai 87; Jilin 80 TianJin Rongcheg 82; Liaoning 67 Foshan 66; Jiangsu 117 Qingdao DS 98; DongGuan 110 Zhejiang G.L. 100; Shandong 109 Bayi 103; Guangdong 116 Fujian 85.

CBA Standings
1. Xinjiang Flying Tigers 23-1
2. DongGuan Leopards 20-4
3. Guangdong Tigers 18-7
4. Jiangsu Dragons 15-10
5. Zhejiang Golden Lions 14-11
6. Beijing Ducks 13-12
7. Bayi Rockets 13-12
8. Zhejiang Cyclones 12-12
9. Shandong Flaming Bulls 12-12
10. Liaoning Hunters 12-13
11. Shanxi Zhongyu 10-14
12. Shanghai Sharks 10-15
13. Qingdao Double Star 9-15
14. Jilin Northeast Tigers 9-16
15. Foshan 8-16
16. TianJin Rongcheng 5-19
17. Fujian Xunxin 5-19

FIBA Asia