WCBA Round 33 (Regular Season): Shanxi lose to Shanghai

The Regular Season in WCBA is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Top ranked Flame (23-6) recorded its sixth loss in Taiyuan on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Swordfish (19-10) 90-82. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Flame. Shanghai made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican-American Arella Guirantes (181-1997, college: Rutgers) who scored 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international swingman Huang Jing (184-1985) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Chen Yujie (178-2000) who recorded 28 points and 6 rebounds. Shanghai maintains fourth place with 19-10 record. Shanxi at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shanxi will play at home against Inner M. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Anshan. Fifth ranked Liaoning Hengye (17-12) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 3rd placed Dragons (20-11) 71-69 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Dragons. It was a good game for Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) who led her team to a victory with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Wu Shuang contributed with 18 points for the winners. Liaoning Hengye's coach used entire bench in such tough game. American forward Myisha Hines-Allen (185-1996, college: Louisville) answered with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 19 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals for Heilongjiang. Liaoning Hengye have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 17-12 record. Heilongjiang at the other side dropped to the fourth position with 11 games lost. Liaoning will play against higher ranked Heilongjiang (#4) in Daqing in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Heilongjiang will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Henan Phoenix (20-9) against eighth ranked Ganzhou (7-22) on Sunday night. Visiting Henan Phoenix was defeated by Ganzhou in Ganzhou 95-78. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Henan Phoenix. Tian Yangyang stepped up and scored 23 points and 7 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Kelsey Bone with 28 points and 8 rebounds. Henan Phoenix's coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Newly promoted Ganzhou maintains eighth place with 7-22 record. Loser Henan Phoenix keeps the second position with nine games lost. They share it with Shaanxi and Inner M.. Ganzhou will meet at home league's second-placed Henan in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Henan will have a break next round.

Other games of round 33 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Guangdong defeated Beijing in Dongguan 84-70. Xinjiang lost to defending champion Sichuan at home 55-96. Winless Tianjin was destroyed by Hefei on the opponent's court 64-109. Xiamen unfortunately lost to Shaanxi in a home game 68-77. Inner M. managed to beat Beijing on the road 84-67. Shandong was defeated by Zhejiang on its own court 86-104.

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.

Beijing - Guangdong 70-84

There was no surprise when 5th ranked Beijing Great Wall (12-17) was defeated at home by second ranked Vermilion Birds (20-8) 84-70 on Saturday. Guangdong dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Beijing Great Wall's 32. Guangdong forced 23 Beijing turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American guard Aliyah Collier (183-1997, college: Clemson) stepped up and scored 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and the former international center Dilichati Dilana (195-1997) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Vermilion Birds players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American point guard Aari McDonald (168-1998, college: Arizona) with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (193-1992, college: MTSU) scored 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guangdong maintains second place with 20-8 record having four points less than leader Wuhan. Loser Beijing Great Wall keeps the fifth position with 17 games lost. Guangdong will meet at home Hebei (#6) in the next round. Beijing will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Beijing: M.Aari 18+5reb+5ast, Y.Liu 16+2reb, P.Cheyenne 14+6reb+5ast, T.Yu 6+5reb+2ast, M.Zheng 6+1reb+2ast, W.Xuemeng 5+4reb+3ast
Guangdong: C.Aliyah 24+7reb+1ast, D.Dilichati 18+5reb+2ast, S.Yang 14+3reb+6ast, N.Chelsea 13+7reb+4ast, Y.Shen 7+1reb+2ast, L.Yang 4+6ast

Xinjiang - Sichuan 55-96

No shocking result in a game in Urumqi where first ranked Yuanda (27-1) smashed 5th ranked Magic Deer (5-23) 96-55 on Saturday. Sichuan dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Magic Deer's 36. Sichuan outrebounded Xinjiang 50-31 including a 34-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sichuan looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Xinjiang's players. The former international center Xu Han (208-1999) stepped up and scored 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Australian center Elizabeth Cambage (205-1991) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. Five Yuanda players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Dariauna Lewis (185-2000, college: Syracuse) with 14 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import forward NDea Jones (188-1999, college: Texas A&M) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 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. Yuanda have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 27-1 record. Loser Magic Deer keeps the fifth position with 23 games lost. Sichuan will meet Jiangsu (#4) in the next round. Xinjiang will play against Fujian in Putian and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Xinjiang: L.Dariauna 14+8reb+1ast, Y.Li 11+1reb+1ast, J.N'Dea 10+11reb+1ast, Y.Wu 8+2reb+2ast, T.Wu 6+1reb+3ast, A.Jesula 4+2reb
Sichuan: H.Xu 23+5reb+3ast, C.Elizabeth 18+6reb+1ast, L.Meng 14+3reb+4ast, T.Xiao 10+4reb, G.Song 10+7reb+3ast, L.Yuting 4+2reb+1ast

Ganzhou - Henan 95-78

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Henan Phoenix (20-9) against eighth ranked Ganzhou (7-22) on Sunday night. Visiting Henan Phoenix was defeated by Ganzhou in Ganzhou 95-78. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Henan Phoenix. Ganzhou made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Henan outrebounded Ganzhou 37-20 including 27 on the defensive glass. Guard Tian Yangyang (170-1995) stepped up and scored 23 points and 7 assists for the winners and forward Lu Yaqi (182-2005) chipped in 28 points. The best for the losing side was American center Kelsey Bone (193-1991, college: Texas A&M) with 28 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import forward Emma Cannon (188-1989, college: FSC) scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. Henan Phoenix's coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Newly promoted Ganzhou maintains eighth place with 7-22 record. Loser Henan Phoenix keeps the second position with nine games lost. They share it with Shaanxi and Inner M.. Ganzhou will meet at home league's second-placed Henan in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Henan will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Henan: B.Kelsey 28+8reb+1ast, C.Emma 21+9reb+1ast, B.Liu 6, H.Peng 6+3reb, S.Sun 4+4reb+2ast, C.Wei-An 4+6reb+6ast
Ganzhou: Y.Lu 28+2reb+3ast, Y.Tian 23+3reb+7ast, C.Sidney 15+8reb+1ast, J.Zhang 9+3reb, Y.Xu 8, C.Sun 7+2reb

Hefei - Tianjin 109-64

Rather expected game when bottom-ranked Ronggang (0-29) was rolled over on the road by sixth ranked Hefei (14-15) 109-64 on Sunday. Hefei dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Ronggang's 38. Hefei forced 20 Tianjin turnovers and outrebounded them 40-29 including 26 on the defensive glass. American point guard Kiana Williams (170-1999, college: Stanford) stepped up and scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and center Shao Yuzhi (183-2005) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. Five Hefei players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Ziqi Han (180-1999) with 25 points and 9 rebounds and center Zhu Yuxi (192-2003) scored 7 points and 7 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. Newly promoted Hefei maintains sixth place with 14-15 record. Loser Ronggang still closes the standings with 29 games lost. Hefei will meet at home Tianjin (#9) in the next round. Tianjin will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tianjin: H.Ziqi 25+9reb+1ast, Z.Jianping 8+4reb, Y.Zhu 7+7reb+1ast, Y.Zhou 6+3reb, Q.Bao 5+1reb+1ast, W.Liu 5+2reb+1ast
Hefei: Y.Shao 19+6reb+2ast, Z.Xiong 16+2reb, W.Kiana 16+5reb+6ast, L.Xi-Ye 15+3reb+4ast, J.Xing 12+2reb+3ast, W.Wei-Lin 11+6reb+1ast

Liaoning - Heilongjiang 71-69

Important game to mention about took place in Anshan. Fifth ranked Liaoning Hengye (17-12) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 3rd placed Dragons (20-11) 71-69 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Dragons. It was a good game for Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) who led her team to a victory with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Wu Shuang (180-1994) contributed with 18 points for the winners. Liaoning Hengye's coach used entire bench in such tough game. American forward Myisha Hines-Allen (185-1996, college: Louisville) answered with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 19 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and guard Zhou Yueming (170-1999) added 28 points in the effort for Heilongjiang. Liaoning Hengye have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 17-12 record. Heilongjiang at the other side dropped to the fourth position with 11 games lost. Liaoning will play against higher ranked Heilongjiang (#4) in Daqing in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Heilongjiang will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Heilongjiang: Y.Zhou 28+2reb+3ast, H.Myisha 18+19reb+6ast, B.Kennedy 8+7reb+1ast, L.Shuqing 7+5reb+2ast, R.Sun 2+2reb, Y.Luo 2+1ast
Liaoning: S.Wu 18+2reb, W.Ye 14+1reb+1ast, P.Ana 14+9reb+3ast, R.Breanna 9+9reb, W.Ma 6+2reb+1ast, Q.Wang 5+8reb+2ast

Xiamen - Shaanxi 68-77

Rather predictable result when fourth ranked Red Wolves (20-9) beat on the road 7th ranked Xiamen (8-21) 77-68 on Sunday. Shaanxi outrebounded Xiamen 47-30 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. American center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and center Su Yingying (190-2001) chipped in 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Red Wolves players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center Imani McGee-Stafford (201-1994, college: Texas) with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import guard Sianni Martin (173-1996, college: UCF) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Red Wolves have a solid series of three victories in a row. Shaanxi moved-up to second place, which they share with Henan and Inner M. Xiamen lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 21 games lost. Shaanxi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Xiamen will play against Shaanxi (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Xiamen: M.Imani 27+13reb, M.Sianni 15+5reb+1ast, Y.Wong 10+1reb+4ast, Y.Li 8+3reb+1ast, T.Li 4+6reb+1ast, C.QI 2+1ast
Shaanxi: E.Queen 21+10reb+2ast, Y.Su 16+10reb+5ast, H.Linnae 13+8reb+3ast, L.Qi 13+2reb+3ast, J.Liu 7+4reb, S.Wang 4+2reb

Beijing - Inner M. 67-84

Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Beijing Great Wall (12-17) was defeated at home by third ranked Mongolia (20-9) 84-67 on Monday. Inner M. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Beijing Great Wall's 36. Inner M. forced 22 Beijing turnovers. American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 14 rebounds (on 12-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners and the former international point guard Li Yuan (170-2000) chipped in 12 points, 8 assists and 5 steals. Four Mongolia players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American point guard Aari McDonald (168-1998, college: Arizona) with 15 points, 6 assists and 5 steals and the other American import forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (193-1992, college: MTSU) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mongolia have a solid series of four victories in a row. Inner M. moved-up to second place, which they share with Henan and Shaanxi. Loser Beijing Great Wall keeps the fifth position with 17 games lost. Inner M. will meet league's leader Shanxi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Beijing will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Beijing: M.Aari 15+3reb+6ast, T.Yu 14+3reb, P.Cheyenne 12+5reb+1ast, W.Xuemeng 7+7reb+2ast, Y.Liu 5+1reb, M.Zheng 5+3reb+2ast
Inner M.: B.Kalani 27+14reb+3ast, Z.Ru 12+7reb+2ast, Y.Li 12+3reb+8ast, W.Lili 10+3reb+3ast, Z.Pan 8+5reb, M.Sun 4+1ast

Shandong - Zhejiang 86-104

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Penglai where third ranked Golden Bulls (15-14) won against second-best Sports Lottery (15-14) 104-86 on Monday. Zhejiang shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Shandong's players. Point guard Wang Jiaqi (173-1999) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 7 rebounds, 14 assists and 5 steals for the winners and Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Golden Bulls players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Australian forward Alanna Smith (193-1996, college: Stanford) with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds and American point guard Marquesha Davis (183-2001, college: Ole Miss) scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Sports Lottery's coach tested twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Zhejiang moved-up to second place, which they share with Shandong. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shandong: S.Alanna 35+12reb+3ast, D.Marquesha 15+6reb+4ast, Z.Li 10+3reb+4ast, C.Wei 9+3reb+2ast, W.Yingzhu 8+3reb+1ast, H.Yang 8+6reb
Zhejiang: M.Zhang 25+5reb+3ast, J.Wang 24+7reb+14ast, K.Ezinne 20+7reb+6ast, K.Dong 19+5reb+2ast, J.Yu 15+5reb+4ast, Y.Chen 1

Shanxi - Shanghai 82-90

Top ranked Flame (23-6) recorded its sixth loss in Taiyuan on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Swordfish (19-10) 90-82. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Flame. Shanghai made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican-American Arella Guirantes (181-1997, college: Rutgers) who scored 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international swingman Huang Jing (184-1985) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Chen Yujie (178-2000) who recorded 28 points and 6 rebounds and forward Ruoyun Zhai (182-1998) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Shanghai maintains fourth place with 19-10 record. Shanxi at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Shanghai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shanxi will play at home against Inner M. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shanxi: Y.Chen 28+6reb+2ast, Z.Ruoyun 17+5reb+4ast, N.Olivia 15+3reb+2ast, K.Song 10+4reb+6ast, R.Mercedes 9+8reb+3ast, H.Juntong 3+3reb+1ast
Shanghai: G.Arella 32+7reb+4ast, J.Huang 18+9reb+1ast, Y.Chen 18+2reb+2ast, X.Pan 16+5reb+5ast, C.Kamilla 2+6reb+2ast, Z.Zhang 2+4reb+4ast