WCBA Round 26 (Regular Season): Henan is defeated by Liaoning

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most important game in the last round took place in Anshan between third ranked Henan Phoenix (14-8) and sixth ranked Liaoning Hengye (13-11) on Wednesday night. Henan Phoenix was defeated by Liaoning Hengye in a tough game on the road 62-69. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Liaoning made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) scored 28 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Breanna Richardson (185-1995, college: MSU) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American forward Emma Cannon (188-1989, college: FSC) responded with 29 points and 9 rebounds. Liaoning moved-up to second place, which they share with Zhejiang. Henan at the other side dropped to the fourth position with eight games lost. Liaoning is looking forward to face Henan (#4) in Jiyuan in the next round. Henan will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Golden Bulls (13-11) against fifth ranked Magic Deer (4-19) on Wednesday night. Visiting Golden Bulls were defeated by Magic Deer in Urumqi 92-79. American forward Dariauna Lewis (185-2000, college: Syracuse) notched a double-double by scoring 31 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and NDea Jones supported her with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 29 points by Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) did not help to save the game for Zhejiang. Golden Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Xinjiang maintains fifth position with 4-19 record. Zhejiang at the other side keeps the second place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Liaoning. Xinjiang will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zhejiang will play on the road against Shanghai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Dongguan. Second-ranked host Vermilion Birds (17-7) were smashed by first ranked Yuanda (23-1) 98-69. The best player for the winners was Song Gao who had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Chen Liyu produced 14 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yuanda have an impressive 23-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 23-1 record. Loser Vermilion Birds keeps the second place with seven games lost. They share the position with Heilongjiang. Sichuan will meet league's leader Shanxi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Guangdong will play against Jiangsu in Nanjing and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 26: Hefei destroyed Ganzhou on the opponent's court 102-70. Shaanxi outscored Tianjin in a home game 112-54. Shanxi managed to beat Shandong on the road 80-75. Wuhan defeated Heilongjiang on its own court 62-51. Fujian was smashed by Inner M. in Hohhot 90-55. Jiangsu was destroyed by Shanghai at home 69-91.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 29 points and 11 rebounds by Kamilla Cardoso of Shanghai.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

Ganzhou - Hefei 70-102

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Ganzhou (6-18) was crushed at home by fifth ranked Hefei (13-9) 102-70 on Wednesday. Hefei outrebounded Ganzhou 46-34 including 32 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kiana Williams (170-1999, college: Stanford) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import center Taiyanna Jackson (198-2000, college: Kansas) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Five Hefei players scored in double figures. American power forward Sidney Cooks (193-1998, college: Seton Hall) produced 23 points and 6 rebounds and forward Lu Yaqi (182-2005) added 17 points respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Hefei maintains fifth position with 13-9 record. Ganzhou lost sixth consecutive game. Ganzhou at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth place with 18 games lost. Hefei will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ganzhou will play again against Hefei (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ganzhou: C.Sidney 23+6reb+1ast, Y.Lu 17+1reb+1ast, Y.Xu 11+2reb, Y.Tian 8+3reb+3ast, J.Jiang 6+8reb+1ast, S.Liang 5+2reb+2ast
Hefei: W.Kiana 33+11reb+7ast, J.Xing 16+5reb+5ast, J.Taiyanna 15+13reb+2ast, L.Xi-Ye 11+2ast, W.Wei-Lin 10+7reb+3ast, Z.Xiong 9+3reb

Guangdong - Sichuan 69-98

The game between Top Four teams took place in Dongguan. Second-ranked host Vermilion Birds (17-7) were smashed by first ranked Yuanda (23-1) 98-69. Sichuan dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Vermilion Birds's 34 and made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Sichuan forced 19 Guangdong turnovers and outrebounded them 39-27 including a 26-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sichuan looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Song Gao (190-1992) who had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. The former international center Xu Han (208-1999) chipped in 20 points (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Forward Chen Liyu (186-1997) produced 14 points and 7 rebounds and guard Zhong Jiali (171-2005) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yuanda have an impressive 23-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 23-1 record. Loser Vermilion Birds keeps the second place with seven games lost. They share the position with Heilongjiang. Sichuan will meet league's leader Shanxi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Guangdong will play against Jiangsu in Nanjing and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Guangdong: J.Zhong 15+3reb+1ast, L.Chen 14+7reb+1ast, L.Wenxia 10+5reb+2ast, D.Yu 10+3reb+3ast, S.Yang 10+1reb+1ast, Y.Yu 4+2reb+1ast
Sichuan: H.Xu 20+3reb+1ast, G.Song 13+10reb+3ast, W.Siyu 13+3reb+3ast, T.Ziting 12+3reb+1ast, C.Elizabeth 11+5reb+2ast, L.Meng 6+1reb+5ast

Liaoning - Henan 69-62

The most important game in the last round took place in Anshan between third ranked Henan Phoenix (14-8) and sixth ranked Liaoning Hengye (13-11) on Wednesday night. Henan Phoenix was defeated by Liaoning Hengye in a tough game on the road 62-69. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Liaoning made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) scored 28 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Breanna Richardson (185-1995, college: MSU) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American forward Emma Cannon (188-1989, college: FSC) responded with 29 points and 9 rebounds and Taiwanese Wei-An Chen (177-1995) scored 8 points and 9 rebounds. Liaoning moved-up to second place, which they share with Zhejiang. Henan at the other side dropped to the fourth position with eight games lost. Liaoning is looking forward to face Henan (#4) in Jiyuan in the next round. Henan will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Henan: C.Emma 29+9reb, P.Hsiao-Tong 9+3reb+5ast, B.Kelsey 8+3reb+2ast, C.Wei-An 8+9reb+2ast, M.Kamaria 4+7reb+1ast, H.Peng 2+3reb+1ast
Liaoning: P.Ana 28+7reb, R.Breanna 21+6reb+2ast, Q.Wang 9+2reb, W.Ye 4+2reb+3ast, W.Wang 4+5reb+3ast, W.Ma 2+2reb

Shaanxi - Tianjin 112-54

Very predictable result in Weinan where fourth ranked Red Wolves (15-7) smashed bottom-ranked Ronggang (0-24) 112-54 on Wednesday. Shaanxi dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Ronggang's 32. Shaanxi outrebounded Tianjin 58-19 including a 17-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Shaanxi looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Tianjin's players. The best player for the winners was forward Min Yan (182-1999) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 23 rebounds. Center Liu Jing (187-2001) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Red Wolves players scored in double figures. Forward Zhang Gege (185-2003) produced 13 points and 4 steals and center Cheng Ruotong (190-2005) added 11 points respectively for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shaanxi moved-up to third place. Loser Ronggang still closes the standings with 24 games lost. Shaanxi will meet at home Tianjin (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Tianjin will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tianjin: G.Zhang 13+3reb+2ast, R.Cheng 11+1reb+1ast, Y.Zhou 8+2reb, T.Zhang 7+3reb+1ast, R.Zou 7+1reb+2ast, Y.Cui 4+2reb+2ast
Shaanxi: Z.Zhuoya 19+3reb+4ast, J.Liu 18+6reb+4ast, L.Qi 14+3reb+2ast, Y.Min 12+23reb+3ast, H.Linnae 11+5reb+5ast, Y.Su 9+3reb

Shandong - Shanxi 75-80

Not a big story in a game in Penglai where 3rd ranked Sports Lottery (11-13) was defeated by first ranked Flame (19-5) 80-75 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was American center Olivia Nelson-Ododa (196-2000, college: UConn) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. The other American import point guard Kelsey Mitchell (173-1995, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 24 points. The former international power forward Yang Hengyu (194-1995) produced 23 points and 7 rebounds and Australian forward Alanna Smith (193-1996, college: Stanford) added 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Four Shandong players scored in double figures. Flame have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Shanxi maintains first position with 19-5 record. Shandong lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the third place with 13 games lost. Shanxi will meet at home league's leader Sichuan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shandong will play against Inner M. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shandong: H.Yang 23+7reb+1ast, S.Alanna 13+10reb+4ast, D.Marquesha 13+6reb+2ast, C.Wei 11+3reb+3ast, A.Jing 8+1reb+1ast, Q.Yanzi 5+2reb+3ast
Shanxi: M.Kelsey 24+2reb+3ast, N.Olivia 20+12reb+1ast, H.Juntong 12+4reb+3ast, Y.Chen 9+6reb+2ast, Z.Ruoyun 7+8reb+2ast, K.Song 6+1reb

Wuhan - Heilongjiang 62-51

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked hengfan's (20-4) home victory over second-ranked Dragons (17-7) 62-51 on Wednesday. Wuhan forced 20 Heilongjiang turnovers. The best player for the winners was center Fu Jinqiu (188-1996) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. American power forward Peyton Williams (193-1998, college: Kansas St.) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. hengfan's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American power forward Kennedy Brown (190-2000, college: Duke) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds and forward Jiang Jingjing (170-2001) added 12 points respectively for the guests. hengfan have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Wuhan maintains first position with 20-4 record. Loser Dragons keeps the second place with seven games lost. They share the position with Guangdong. Wuhan will meet at home league's second-placed Heilongjiang in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Heilongjiang will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Heilongjiang: B.Kennedy 18+18reb+2ast, J.Jiang 12+2reb+3ast, L.Shuqing 9+2ast, Y.Li 6+1reb, R.Sun 4+4reb+1ast, R.Bi 2+2reb
Wuhan: W.Peyton 18+9reb+1ast, J.Fu 18+17reb+1ast, C.Chennedy 17+2reb+4ast, Y.Ding 6+2reb, O.Khulan 3+1reb+1ast, D.Jiahui 0+2reb+2ast

Xinjiang - Zhejiang 92-79

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Golden Bulls (13-11) against fifth ranked Magic Deer (4-19) on Wednesday night. Visiting Golden Bulls were defeated by Magic Deer in Urumqi 92-79. Xinjiang outrebounded Zhejiang 42-18 including a 17-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Xinjiang players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. American forward Dariauna Lewis (185-2000, college: Syracuse) notched a double-double by scoring 31 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and the other American import forward NDea Jones (188-1999, college: Texas A&M) supported her with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Magic Deer players scored in double figures. Even 29 points by Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) did not help to save the game for Zhejiang. Point guard Wang Jiaqi (173-1999) added 14 points and 6 assists for the guests. Golden Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Xinjiang maintains fifth position with 4-19 record. Zhejiang at the other side keeps the second place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Liaoning. Xinjiang will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zhejiang will play on the road against Shanghai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zhejiang: K.Ezinne 29+2reb+3ast, K.Dong 15+3ast, J.Wang 14+3reb+6ast, J.Yu 8+5reb+4ast, H.Wang 5+3reb+1ast, M.Zhang 3+4reb
Xinjiang: L.Dariauna 31+12reb+4ast, J.N'Dea 20+10reb+5ast, T.Wu 16+6reb+9ast, Y.Wu 10+1reb+6ast, Y.Li 5+8reb+1ast, Y.Li 4+1reb+1ast

Inner M. - Fujian 90-55

There was no surprise in Hohhot where 6th ranked Fujian Nanan (1-22) was outplayed by fourth ranked Mongolia (16-8) 90-55 on Thursday. Inner M. made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Fujian turnovers and outrebounded them 41-30 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Inner M. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Fujian's players. The best player for the winners was forward Zhou Mengyun (185-1999) who scored 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) chipped in 11 points. American center Tearra Banks (188-1995, college: Austin Peay) produced 18 points and 7 rebounds and center Zhaolin Chen (201-2003) added 7 points respectively for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mongolia have an impressive five-game winning streak. Inner M. moved-up to third place, which they share with Shanghai. Fujian lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 22 games lost. Inner M. will meet Shandong (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fujian will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fujian: B.Tearra 18+7reb, C.Zhaolin 7+4reb, W.Ze 7+1reb+2ast, F.Min 6+3reb, T.Rumeng 6+1reb+1ast, C.Kerui 5+5reb
Inner M.: M.Zhou 18+6reb, B.Kalani 11+4reb+1ast, Q.Zhang 10+1reb+4ast, W.Lili 9+1ast, Y.Li 8+3reb+3ast, Z.Ru 7+6reb+1ast

Jiangsu - Shanghai 69-91

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Swordfish's (16-8) road victory over one of their biggest challengers Jiangsu (10-14) 91-69 on Thursday. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Jiangsu's 24. Shanghai had a 25-13 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Brazilian center Kamilla Cardoso (201-2001, college: S.Carolina) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. Puerto Rican-American Arella Guirantes (181-1997, college: Rutgers) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds. Center Xu Chenyan (200-1999) produced 24 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and international forward Luo Xinyu (187-2001) added 14 points respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shanghai maintains third position with 16-8 record having just three points less than leader Wuhan, which they share with Inner M. Jiangsu lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 14 games lost. Shanghai will meet at home league's second-placed Zhejiang in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Jiangsu will play against the league's second-placed Guangdong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: C.Xu 24+9reb, X.Luo 14+3reb+2ast, Z.Lu 10+1reb+1ast, X.Hu 7+2reb+3ast, X.Hong 7+3reb+2ast, Z.Zhao 4+2reb+1ast
Shanghai: C.Kamilla 29+11reb+1ast, G.Arella 16+5reb+2ast, Z.Zhang 10+4reb+1ast, Y.Zhou 9+2reb+2ast, X.Liu 8+2reb, Y.Chen 7+1reb+4ast