Jiangsu end Fujian's four-game winning streak

BEIJING - Jiangsu Dragons smashed Fujian Sturgeons 112-86, putting an end to the hosts' four-game winning streak in Thursday's 22nd round of the 2018-19 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league.

The victory also extends Jiangsu's winning streak to four games.

Although trailing for most of the first half, Fujian held up well and kept the deficit within 10 points as the second quarter ended 42-47. The turning point came as Jiangsu trounced the hosts 34-19 in the third quarter, building a 20-point advantage when Hou Yifan hit a three-pointer before the buzzer.

Fujian's short comeback in the last quarter was disturbed by their own turnovers, most of which were turned into fast breaks by Jiangsu.

The visitors played solid defense throughout the game and forced Fujian into 20 turnovers, five of which were from their key scorer Wang Zhelin. Wang, who currently ranks first on the list of CBA homegrown scoring leaders, put up 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds tonight, but the rest of Fujian's lineup performed poorly with only four other players scoring.

Elsewhere, Beijing Ducks took an unsurprising win over Shandong Golden Stars. With 10 players on the scoresheet, Beijing played their typical team basketball and sealed an easy win 96-76.

In other CBA matches of the day, Nanjing Tongxi Monkey King lost to Shanghai Sharks 105-113, Shanxi Loongs edged Beikong Fly Dragons 111-110, and Sichuan Blue Whales beat Bayi Rockets 98-92.