Shanxi beat Beijing to win 3rd straight WCBA title
Xinhua, March 5, 2015 Adjust font size:
Shanxi edged Beijing 72-70 on Thursday, winning the WCBA finals series 3-1 for their third straight title.
Maya Moore had 35 points, almost half of Shanxi's total points, to play a key role in Shanxi's milestone night.
Beijing was the WCBA champion in the 2011-2012 season. Beijing fought to the last second, but a three pointer from Beijing failed to beat the buzzer.
Ji Yanyan had 11 points for Shanxi.
Moore made her very first basket, leading Shanxi to start the game with 5-0. Beijing shooters leveled the score 5-5 with their jump shots. Beijing's Brittney Griner had dominative advantage in the painting area,but Shanxi did better in fastbreaks.
Beijing played a much more physical second quarter. As Shanxi added up fouls, Beijing regained the lead 40-37. The host team finished the first half 42-37.
Moore collected 17 points in the first two quarters. On the other side of the court, Griner had 21.
Shanxi had the first seven points in the third quarter, forcing Beijing head coach Xu Limin to take a time out after less than three minutes into the game. Moore controlled the court with three straight jump shots, and Shanxi rallied back to hold a six-point advantage.
Beijing rest Griner in the later half of the third period, only to see Shanxi center Wei Wei getting a couple of baskets from inside. Shanxi ended the quarter 56-52.
The host team tied the score after Griner and Zhang Fan made a basket each, but Moore replied with stronger attack. Shanxi kept leading by six points with less than three minutes left.
A time out stopped Shanxi from extending the lead, but Beijing didn't take the chance.
Griner topped Beijing with 10 points. Zhang Fan added 10. Endi