WCBA – Shenyang draw first blood in Finals

BEIJING (WCBA) - A 30-17 run in the third quarter propelled Shenyang Golden Lions to a 100-83 home win against an equally determined Guangdong Dolphins in Game 1 of the WCBA Play-Offs Finals on Tuesday.

Seasoned campaigner Lijie Miao (pic above) returned another game-high score with 27 points to lead the Shenyang win. Miao’s presence on the court was enhanced by the 9 assists she dished out for the game.

After tying at 21 at the end of the first quarter, Shenyang nosed ahead 45-43 going into the first half break before they broke open with a scintillating run in the third to seal the issue.

Zhang Han Lan who scored 17 points in the game and Zhao Shuang 15, each accounted for 8 points in the third quarter to disperse their rivals’ defense pattern.

Zhang Han Lan fired in four of her five 3-pointer attempts and was a leading rebounder for her team with six collections.

Liu Dan and Song Liwei provided the back-up support under the boards, each with 6 collections. The former also had 19 points to her credit.

American Swin Cash led Guangong’s cause with 25 points and pulled down a dozen rebounds as Guangdong out-rebounded Shenyang 31-27.

Wei Wei had 16 points, Huang Hongpin 15 and Ding Yuan 14 for Guangdong, but were overpowered by Shenyang’s far better shooting record.

Guangdong had a none-too-bad 50% shooting on the paint, but Shenyang were way ahead with a 67.39% rate. In the long rangers though, Guangdong faltered often with a mere 28.57% against Shenyang’s 50%.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Thursday.

FIBA Asia