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Xinjiang stuns defending champion in CBA season opener

Xinhua, October 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Xinjiang defeated defending champion Beijing 103-97 in Saturday's Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) opener of the new season here.

   Beijing, who received their third CBA champion ring in four years before the match, trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. But the host cut the gap to four with four minutes to the end of the game.

   But Andrew Goudelock then scored two three-pointers, which secured Xinjiang the victory.

   Xinjiang, who failed to make into last season's playoffs, led by only two after the first quarter. Andray Blatche, who led the Philippines to the final of Asian Championship, took 12 of his match-high 35 points in the second quarter.

   Blatche continued his dominant performance in the third period. He made in two three-pointers, finished an And1 play, which helped Xinjiang extend their lead to 18.

   Stephon Marbury and Randolph Morris then came out for Beijing. The two veterans took 18 of the host's 31 points in the third quarter and headed into the final quarter trailing by only eight.

   Goudelock saved Xinjiang. He scored Xinjiang's last seven points and finished with 19 points, four rebounds, two steals and three assists.

   Four Xinjiang players scored in double-digits. Li Gen, who was recruited by Xinjiang from Beijing this summer, took 13 while Zhou Qi had 11 and seven rebounds.

   Marbury led Beijing with 27 while Morris had 17. Zhu Yanxi and Zhai Xiaochuan combined for 25.  Endi