WCBA Round 27 (Regular Season): Shanxi hands first defeat to Sichuan

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Yuanda (23-1) in Taiyuan on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Flame (19-5) 81-75. It ended at the same time the 23-game winning streak of Yuanda. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shanxi made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kelsey Mitchell (173-1995, college: Ohio St.) who scored 24 points. Forward Chen Yujie (178-2000) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Meng Li (185-1995) who recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Flame have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Shanxi maintains first place with 19-5 record which they share with defeated Sichuan. Defending champion Sichuan still keeps top position with one game lost. Shanxi are looking forward to face Jiangsu (#4) in Nanjing in the next round. Sichuan will play at home against Inner M. and is hoping to win this game.
Third-ranked Sports Lottery (11-13) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Mongolia (16-8) in Penglai. The visitors from Hohhot managed to secure only three-point victory 72-69. However their fans expected easier game. It was a good game for American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds. Lili Wang contributed with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Australian forward Alanna Smith (193-1996, college: Stanford) answered with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 18 rebounds for Shandong. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Mongolia. Inner M. moved-up to third place, which they share with Shanghai. Shandong lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the third position with 13 games lost. They share it with Beijing. Inner M. will play against league's leader Sichuan in Chengdu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shandong will play at home against Beijing and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Henan Phoenix (14-8) against sixth ranked Liaoning Hengye (13-11) on Friday night. Visiting Henan Phoenix was defeated by Liaoning Hengye in a tough game in Anshan 74-82. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was a great evening for Breanna Richardson who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Emma Cannon with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. 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 will meet at home Shaanxi (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Henan will play against the league's second-placed Heilongjiang and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 27 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Hebei was defeated by Beijing in a road game 87-70. Ganzhou was smashed by Hefei at home 55-95. Winless Tianjin was destroyed by Shaanxi on the opponent's court 95-63. Wuhan outscored Heilongjiang in a home game 80-57. Guangdong rolled over Jiangsu on the road 76-55. Shanghai defeated Zhejiang on its own court 113-107.

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Beijing - Hebei 87-70

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Power's (3-21) road loss to fifth ranked Beijing Great Wall (11-13) 70-87 on Friday. Beijing dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Power's 30 and made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Beijing outrebounded Hebei 42-30 including 28 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American point guard Aari McDonald (168-1998, college: Arizona) who led her team to a victory scoring 30 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. American-Bulgarian center Khaalia Hillsman (196-1996, college: Texas A&M) helped adding 23 points and 13 rebounds. Beijing Great Wall's coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Taiwanese Peng Shiqing (174-1991) with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Destiny Littleton (175-1999, college: USC) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Five Hebei players scored in double figures. Beijing moved-up to third place, which they share with Shandong. Hebei lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 21 games lost. Beijing will meet at home Fujian (#6) in the next round. Hebei will play against Xinjiang and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Beijing: M.Aari 30+8reb+8ast, H.Khaalia 23+13reb+1ast, J.Zhang 10+2reb+2ast, T.Yu 6+7reb, P.Cheyenne 5+2reb+1ast, J.Yu 5+1reb+2ast
Hebei: S.Peng 14+12reb+2ast, L.Destiny 12+4reb+4ast, M.Sun 11+3reb+2ast, Y.Hu 11+3reb+2ast, B.Trinity 11+6reb+1ast, Y.Zhang 11+1reb+5ast

Ganzhou - Hefei 55-95

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Hefei (13-9) smashed on the road 8th ranked Ganzhou (6-18) 95-55 on Friday. Hefei dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Ganzhou's 20. They outrebounded Ganzhou 43-21 including a 34-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for center Feng Guoguo (191-2005) who led her team to a victory scoring 15 points and 6 rebounds. American center Taiyanna Jackson (198-2000, college: Kansas) helped adding 11 points and 8 rebounds. Four Hefei players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Lu Yaqi (182-2005) with 19 points and guard Tian Yangyang (170-1995) scored 14 points. 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 place with 13-9 record. Ganzhou lost their sixth game in a row. Ganzhou at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth position with 18 games lost. Hefei will meet at home league's leader Wuhan in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ganzhou will play against Xiamen (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hefei: Y.Shao 16+2reb, G.Feng 15+6reb+2ast, J.Taiyanna 11+8reb+2ast, W.Kiana 10+5reb+1ast, Z.Xiong 9+3reb+2ast, L.Xi-Ye 8+2reb+1ast
Ganzhou: Y.Lu 19+3reb, Y.Tian 14+1reb+3ast, J.Jiang 6+6reb+2ast, K.Yang 6+4reb, Y.Gao 6, J.Xu 2+2reb

Liaoning - Henan 82-74

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Henan Phoenix (14-8) against sixth ranked Liaoning Hengye (13-11) on Friday night. Visiting Henan Phoenix was defeated by Liaoning Hengye in a tough game in Anshan 74-82. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was a great evening for American forward Breanna Richardson (185-1995, college: MSU) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds. Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) helped adding 20 points and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Emma Cannon (188-1989, college: FSC) with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds and Taiwanese Wei-An Chen (177-1995) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Four Henan players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. 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 will meet at home Shaanxi (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Henan will play against the league's second-placed Heilongjiang and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Liaoning: R.Breanna 23+11reb+2ast, P.Ana 20+4reb+5ast, W.Ye 16+4reb+2ast, S.Wu 7+2reb, Q.Wang 7+2reb, W.Wang 6+6reb+5ast
Henan: C.Emma 24+14reb+1ast, C.Wei-An 16+5reb+1ast, M.Kamaria 15+2reb+1ast, B.Kelsey 11+4reb+2ast, H.Peng 3+3reb+4ast, B.Liu 3

Shaanxi - Tianjin 95-63

Very expected game in Weinan where bottom-ranked Ronggang (0-24) was rolled over by fourth ranked Red Wolves (15-7) 95-63 on Friday. Shaanxi dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Ronggang's 26. Shaanxi forced 20 Tianjin turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Tianjin's players. It was a great evening for center Su Yingying (190-2001) who led her team to a victory scoring 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) helped adding 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Four Red Wolves players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was center Zhu Yuxi (192-2003) with 20 points and 9 rebounds and guard Zhao Fangxin (168-1999) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Shaanxi moved-up to third place. Tianjin lost their twenty fourth game in a row. They still close the standings with 24 games lost. Shaanxi will meet Liaoning (#6) in the next round. Tianjin will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shaanxi: Y.Su 18+5reb+2ast, Z.Zhuoya 17+4ast, E.Queen 13+6reb+6ast, H.Linnae 10+4reb+3ast, S.Wang 9+1reb, Y.Min 8+10reb+2ast
Tianjin: Y.Zhu 20+9reb, F.Zhao 18+5reb+3ast, Q.Bao 7+3reb+2ast, Y.Zhou 6+1ast, G.Zhang 6+4reb, Y.Cui 3+3reb+2ast

Wuhan - Heilongjiang 80-57

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked hengfan's (20-4) home victory over second-best Dragons (17-7) 80-57 on Friday. Wuhan dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Dragons's 30. Wuhan forced 23 Heilongjiang turnovers. It was a great evening for American point guard Chennedy Carter (175-1998, college: Texas A&M) who led her team to a victory scoring 33 points (!!!), 8 assists and 5 steals. Her fellow American import power forward Peyton Williams (193-1998, college: Kansas St.) helped adding 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. hengfan's coach felt very confident using 11 players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American power forward Kennedy Brown (190-2000, college: Duke) with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Sun Ruiyao (176-2000) scored 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The victory was the seventh consecutive win for hengfan. Wuhan maintains first place with 20-4 record. Loser Dragons keeps the second position with seven games lost. They share it with Guangdong. Wuhan will meet Hefei (#5) on the road in the next round. Heilongjiang will play against Henan in Jiyuan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Wuhan: C.Chennedy 33+2reb+8ast, W.Peyton 19+9reb+4ast, Y.Ding 7+1ast, J.Fu 6+10reb+5ast, H.Pan 5+3reb, S.Yu 5+1reb
Heilongjiang: R.Sun 17+2reb+1ast, B.Kennedy 14+14reb+5ast, Y.Liu 11+3reb+2ast, L.Shuqing 8+2reb, R.Bi 7+2reb, Y.Luo 0+1reb+1ast

Jiangsu - Guangdong 55-76

Not a big story in a game in Nanjing where 4th placed Jiangsu (10-14) was outplayed by second ranked Vermilion Birds (17-7) 76-55 on Saturday. Guangdong looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Aliyah Collier (183-1997, college: Clemson) who led her team to a victory scoring 20 points and 5 assists. The former international Huang Sijing (192-1996) helped adding 8 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was international forward Luo Xinyu (187-2001) with 14 points and center Xu Chenyan (200-1999) scored 11 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Guangdong maintains second place with 17-7 record having just two points less than leader Wuhan, which they share with Heilongjiang. Jiangsu lost their third game in a row. They keep the fourth position with 14 games lost. Guangdong will meet 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 leader Shanxi in Taiyuan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Guangdong: C.Aliyah 20+4reb+5ast, S.Yang 9+1reb, L.Yang 9+3reb+4ast, S.Huang 8+7reb+3ast, L.Wenxia 8+3reb, D.Yu 6+7reb+3ast
Jiangsu: X.Luo 14+3reb+3ast, C.Xu 11+4reb+2ast, M.Wu 10+1reb, X.Wang 6+3reb+3ast, X.Hong 4+2reb+1ast, Y.Liu 3+1reb

Shandong - Inner M. 69-72

Third-ranked Sports Lottery (11-13) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Mongolia (16-8) in Penglai. The visitors from Hohhot managed to secure only three-point victory 72-69. However their fans expected easier game. It was a good game for American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds. The former international forward Lili Wang (183-1992) contributed with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Australian forward Alanna Smith (193-1996, college: Stanford) answered with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 18 rebounds and the former international power forward Yang Hengyu (194-1995) added 13 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Shandong. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Mongolia. Inner M. moved-up to third place, which they share with Shanghai. Shandong lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the third position with 13 games lost. They share it with Beijing. Inner M. will play against league's leader Sichuan in Chengdu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shandong will play at home against Beijing and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Inner M.: B.Kalani 33+12reb, W.Lili 12+7reb+4ast, Z.Ru 9+4reb+1ast, Y.Li 6+5reb+4ast, Q.Zhang 5+5reb+5ast, S.Ning 5+2reb
Shandong: S.Alanna 29+18reb, H.Yang 13+12reb+7ast, D.Marquesha 8+1reb+1ast, Q.Yanzi 6+2reb+7ast, Z.Zhou 5+1ast, W.Yingzhu 4+3reb+1ast

Shanghai - Zhejiang 113-107

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Shanghai where third ranked Swordfish (16-8) won against second-best Golden Bulls (13-11) 113-107 on Saturday. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Golden Bulls's 42. Shanghai outrebounded Zhejiang 50-21 including a 26-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Shanghai looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists. It was a great evening for Brazilian center Kamilla Cardoso (201-2001, college: S.Carolina) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 9 assists. Puerto Rican-American Arella Guirantes (181-1997, college: Rutgers) helped adding 18 points and 10 rebounds. Swordfish's coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) with 29 points, 6 assists and 5 steals (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) and guard Dong Keer (170-1999) scored 33 points (!!!). Four Shanghai and five Zhejiang players scored in double figures. Shanghai maintains third place with 16-8 record having just three points less than leader Wuhan, which they share with Inner M. Loser Golden Bulls keeps the second position with 11 games lost. They share it with Liaoning. Shanghai will meet at home Xinjiang (#5) in the next round. Zhejiang will play against the league's second-placed Guangdong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shanghai: C.Kamilla 40+17reb+9ast, Y.Chen 21+3reb+4ast, G.Arella 18+10reb+3ast, N.Xu 16+7reb+4ast, Y.Zhou 7+3reb+2ast, S.Liu 7+4reb+10ast
Zhejiang: K.Dong 33+3reb+2ast, K.Ezinne 29+4reb+6ast, J.Wang 15+3reb+9ast, M.Zhang 12+6reb+6ast, J.Yu 11+5reb+2ast, H.Duoling 5

Shanxi - Sichuan 81-75

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Yuanda (23-1) in Taiyuan on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Flame (19-5) 81-75. It ended at the same time the 23-game winning streak of Yuanda. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shanxi made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kelsey Mitchell (173-1995, college: Ohio St.) who scored 24 points. Forward Chen Yujie (178-2000) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Meng Li (185-1995) who recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and the former international forward Song Gao (190-1992) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Four Sichuan players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Flame have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Shanxi maintains first place with 19-5 record which they share with defeated Sichuan. Defending champion Sichuan still keeps top position with one game lost. Shanxi are looking forward to face Jiangsu (#4) in Nanjing in the next round. Sichuan will play at home against Inner M. and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Shanxi: M.Kelsey 24+4reb+3ast, Y.Chen 18+3reb, K.Song 11+1reb+6ast, Z.Ruoyun 9+7reb+3ast, N.Olivia 8+5reb+3ast, F.Kexin 7
Sichuan: L.Meng 20+8reb+6ast, G.Song 14+6reb+4ast, H.Xu 13+5reb, W.Siyu 11+5reb+4ast, C.Elizabeth 8+7reb+1ast, J.Weina 3+5reb+3ast