WCBA Round 16 (Regular Season): #1 Guangdong is defeated by Sichuan

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Vermilion Birds (14-2) in Dongguan on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Yuanda (11-4) 86-80. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sichuan made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Guangdong helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian center Elizabeth Cambage (205-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds and American forward Natasha Howard (188-1991, college: FSU, agency: LBM Management) who added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of her eight free throws) during the contest. At the losing side forward Wenxia Li (184-2004) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. Vermilion Birds' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Yuanda have an impressive six-game winning streak. Sichuan moved-up to second place, which they share with Liaoning. Defending champion Guangdong still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Hefei. Sichuan is looking forward to face Beijing (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Guangdong will play against Wuhan (#8) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Putian. Sixth ranked Ganzhou (1-14) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Fujian Nanan (2-13) 76-73 on Wednesday evening. The winners were led by guard Xu Yanxue (171-1994) who scored that evening 25 points and 9 rebounds and Yang Kejing supported her with 13 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds by Nigerian center Blessing Ejiofor (196-1998, college: WVU) did not help to save the game for Fujian Z.. Ganzhou maintains sixth position with 1-14 record. It was Fujian Z.'s ninth loss in a row. They keep the fifth place with 13 games lost. Ganzhou will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fujian Z. will play again at home against Ganzhou (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Liaoning Hengye (11-4) against fourth ranked Henan Phoenix (9-6) on Wednesday night. Host Liaoning Hengye was crushed by Henan Phoenix in Anshan 91-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Liaoning Hengye. Imani McGee-Stafford fired a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Tea Cooper produced 26 points and 7 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Henan moved-up to third place. Liaoning at the other side keeps the second position with four games lost. They share it with Sichuan. Henan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Liaoning will play against Henan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 16: Hebei won against Shaanxi on the opponent's court 89-79. Xinjiang managed to outperform Jiangsu in a home game 70-63. Shanxi managed to beat Shanghai on the road 91-78. Wuhan was defeated by Shandong on its own court 76-85. Zhejiang was beaten by Beijing in a road game 71-66. Xiamen lost to Hefei at home 72-90.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points and 6 rebounds by Diamond Johnson of Hefei.

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.

Shaanxi - Hebei 79-89

Rather expected game in Weinan where 11th ranked Red Wolves (2-14) were defeated by ninth ranked Power (5-11) 89-79 on Wednesday. Hebei dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Red Wolves's 32 and made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Canadian guard Kayla Davis (170-1995, college: Towson) fired a double-double by scoring 51 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Wang Wang (183-1992) chipped in 12 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. American guard Sierra Calhoun (183-1996, college: Rutgers) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and her fellow American import power forward Sidney Cooks (193-1998, college: Seton Hall) added 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively for lost side. Hebei maintains ninth position with 5-11 record, which they share with Beijing. Shaanxi lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Zhejiang. Hebei will meet at home higher ranked Shanghai (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shaanxi will play against Jiangsu (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shaanxi: C.Sierra 22+10reb+5ast, C.Sidney 19+12reb+2ast, Z.Mengyun 12+2reb+1ast, A.Najing 9+5ast, F.Zhuoya 9+2reb+1ast, W.Jiaxi 6+1reb+1ast
Hebei: K.Davis 51+11reb+2ast, X.Peng 15+3reb+2ast, W.Wang 12+9reb+5ast, E.Potter 9+6reb+1ast, Z.Wang 2+1reb, L.Yilu 0

Xinjiang - Jiangsu 70-63

There was a small surprise in Urumqi where eighth ranked Magic Deer (8-8) defeated 5th ranked Jiangsu (10-6) 70-63 on Wednesday. Xinjiang made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Wu Tongtong (176-1994) fired 21 points and 7 assists for the winners. American-Hungarian forward Beatrice Mompremier (193-1996, college: Miami, FL) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds. American center Jillian Alleyne (190-1994, college: Oregon) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks and forward Hong Xinyan (180-2003) added 15 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Xinjiang moved-up to seventh place. Jiangsu at the other side keeps the fifth position with six games lost. Xinjiang will meet higher ranked Shandong (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jiangsu will play against Shaanxi in Weinan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: A.Jillian 15+14reb+5ast, X.Hong 15+6reb+3ast, C.Xu 10+4reb+2ast, M.Wu 9+1reb+1ast, H.Zhenzhen 9+4reb+3ast, J.Jazmine 3+6reb+3ast
Xinjiang: W.Tongtong 21+2reb+7ast, X.Wang 18+7reb+3ast, B.Mompremier 16+13reb+1ast, J.Jackson 7+10reb, Z.Shuang 3+3reb+2ast, Z.Qifang 3+3reb+4ast

Shanghai - Shanxi 78-91

Not a big story in a game in Shanghai where 6th ranked Swordfish (8-7) was defeated by second ranked Flame (12-4) 91-78 on Wednesday. Shanxi made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. Shanxi outrebounded Shanghai 47-36 including a 36-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shanxi looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shanxi made 7 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court. Center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) fired a double-double by scoring 28 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. Center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) chipped in 26 points and 9 rebounds. point guard Chennedy Carter (175-1998, college: Texas A&M) produced 36 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and forward Ruthy Hebard (192-1998, college: Oregon) added 24 points and 16 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Flame have an impressive five-game winning streak. Shanxi maintains second position with 12-4 record having just two points less than leader Hefei. Shanghai at the other side keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. Shanxi will meet at home Zhejiang (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shanghai will play against Hebei (#9) in Hengshui and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shanghai: C.Chennedy 36+7reb+2ast, H.Ruthy 24+16reb+3ast, N.Xu 5+2reb+1ast, W.Xianglin 4+2reb+4ast, Z.Zhang 4+3reb+2ast, Y.Wang 3+1reb
Shanxi: Q.Egbo 28+17reb+2ast, K.Brown 26+9reb+1ast, M.Whittle 14+5reb+2ast, Y.Lin 7+2reb+9ast, S.Kexin 7+5reb+1ast, Z.Yi 5+2reb+4ast

Fujian Z. - Ganzhou 73-76

Important game to mention about took place in Putian. Sixth ranked Ganzhou (1-14) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Fujian Nanan (2-13) 76-73 on Wednesday evening. Ganzhou forced 19 Fujian Z. turnovers. Strangely Fujian Z. outrebounded Ganzhou 47-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by guard Xu Yanxue (171-1994) who scored that evening 25 points and 9 rebounds and guard Yang Kejing (175-1962) supported her with 13 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds by Nigerian center Blessing Ejiofor (196-1998, college: WVU) did not help to save the game for Fujian Z.. Guard Rumeng Tan (171-2003) added 23 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Ganzhou maintains sixth position with 1-14 record. It was Fujian Z.'s ninth loss in a row. They keep the fifth place with 13 games lost. Ganzhou will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fujian Z. will play again at home against Ganzhou (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fujian Z.: E.Blessing 28+13reb+3ast, T.Rumeng 23+6reb+3ast, Y.Liu 10+8reb, X.Tingting 6+6reb+1ast, L.Yaxi 2+2reb, X.Wang 2+8reb
Ganzhou: X.Yanxue 25+9reb+2ast, Z.Jingdan 16+4reb, Y.Kejing 13+4reb+5ast, J.Jiatong 9+4reb, M.Hu 5+2reb+1ast, X.Xiangxiang 3+5reb

Liaoning - Henan 63-91

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Liaoning Hengye (11-4) against fourth ranked Henan Phoenix (9-6) on Wednesday night. Host Liaoning Hengye was crushed by Henan Phoenix in Anshan 91-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Liaoning Hengye. Henan forced 23 Liaoning turnovers and outrebounded them 44-25 including a 20-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Henan looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American center Imani McGee-Stafford (201-1994, college: Texas) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. The other American import point guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (175-1996, college: Maryland) chipped in 18 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Five Henan Phoenix players scored in double figures. American point guard Tea Cooper (173-1997, college: Baylor) produced 26 points and 7 assists (made all of her seven free throws) and forward Meng Chen (180-1999) added 7 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Henan moved-up to third place. Liaoning at the other side keeps the second position with four games lost. They share it with Sichuan. Henan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Liaoning will play against Henan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Liaoning: C.Tea 26+3reb+7ast, C.Meng 7+4reb+2ast, J.Fu 7+4reb+2ast, J.Liu 6+1reb, Y.Hu 5+1reb+1ast, Z.Meiqi 4+3reb+1ast
Henan: I.McGee-Stafford 20+14reb+2ast, S.Walker-Kimbrough 18+4reb+7ast, M.Sun 17+5reb+3ast, D.Ruijie 13+2reb+3ast, A.Steinberga 11+10reb+3ast, Z.Yueming 4+1reb

Wuhan - Shandong 76-85

Everything went according to plan in Wuhan where fourth ranked Sports Lottery (11-5) beat 8th ranked hengfan (7-9) 85-76 on Thursday. Shandong outrebounded Wuhan 40-25 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. American guard Maya Caldwell (180-1998, college: Georgia) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Australian forward Sara Blicavs (188-1993) chipped in 28 points and 6 rebounds. Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) produced 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of her ten free throws !!!) and guard Ding Yike (172-2003) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sports Lottery have a solid three-game winning streak. Shandong maintains fourth position with 11-5 record. Loser hengfan keeps the eighth place with nine games lost. Shandong will meet at home Xinjiang (#7) in the next round. Wuhan will play against the league's leader Guangdong in Dongguan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Wuhan: K.Ezinne 21+6reb+6ast, Y.Ding 19+1reb+4ast, N.Olivia 14+3reb+2ast, L.Yihua 8+5reb+3ast, S.Shang 4+5reb+1ast, M.Guo 3
Shandong: S.Blicavs 28+6reb+3ast, M.Caldwell 24+11reb+4ast, Z.Zhang 15+5reb, C.Parker-Tyus 7+5reb, Y.Hengyu 4+1reb+3ast, Z.Yazhuo 3+2reb

Guangdong - Sichuan 80-86

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Vermilion Birds (14-2) in Dongguan on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Yuanda (11-4) 86-80. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sichuan made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Guangdong helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian center Elizabeth Cambage (205-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds and American forward Natasha Howard (188-1991, college: FSU, agency: LBM Management) who added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of her eight free throws) during the contest. At the losing side forward Wenxia Li (184-2004) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and the former international point guard Liwei Yang (175-1995) scored 21 points. Four Guangdong players scored in double figures. Vermilion Birds' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Yuanda have an impressive six-game winning streak. Sichuan moved-up to second place, which they share with Liaoning. Defending champion Guangdong still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Hefei. Sichuan is looking forward to face Beijing (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Guangdong will play against Wuhan (#8) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Guangdong: Y.Liwei 21+1reb+3ast, L.Wenxia 16+12reb, Z.Mingzhu 15+4reb, C.Aliyah 12+9reb+3ast, R.Stephanie 8+3reb+6ast, Y.Chen 5+1reb+7ast
Sichuan: E.Cambage 24+11reb+2ast, N.Howard 20+7reb+4ast, S.Wang 12+5reb+7ast, K.Hillsman 7+4reb+1ast, S.Jia 7+3reb+1ast, L.Yuan 6+1reb+3ast

Beijing - Zhejiang 71-66

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 11th ranked Golden Bulls' (2-14) road loss to tenth ranked Beijing Great Wall (5-11) 66-71 on Thursday. Beijing made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Beijing outrebounded Zhejiang 38-23 including a 25-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. Irish-Australian swingman Alice Kunek (185-1991) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Guard Zheng Ming (178-2001) chipped in 18 points. Beijing Great Wall's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Xu Anqi (175-2004) produced 16 points and Fengyi Sun (184-2004) added 14 points respectively for lost side. Beijing moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Hebei. Zhejiang lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Shaanxi. Beijing will meet higher ranked Sichuan (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Zhejiang will play against the league's second-placed Shanxi (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Zhejiang: A.Xu 16+2reb+3ast, S.Fengyi 14+4reb+2ast, K.Dong 12+4reb+3ast, Z.Qi 9+4reb+2ast, J.Yu 8+7reb+4ast, J.Chen 5+1reb+1ast
Beijing: A.Kunek 27+14reb+7ast, Z.Ming 18+2reb+2ast, W.Yiting 6+9reb+5ast, X.Wang 5+2reb, P.Zhenqi 4+3reb+1ast, K.James 4+3reb

Xiamen - Hefei 72-90

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Hefei (14-2) won against on the road 4th ranked Xiamen (9-7) 90-72 on Friday. Hefei forced 21 Xiamen turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Jaime Nared (188-1995, college: Tennessee) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The other American import point guard Diamond Johnson (165-1983, college: Norfolk St., agency: LBM Management) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. American-Jordanian guard Aisha Sheppard (175-1998, college: Virginia Tech) produced 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and American center Shelby Cheslek (196-1992, college: Gonzaga, agency: LBM Management) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hefei have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-2 record, which they share with Guangdong. Loser Xiamen keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Xiamen: S.Aisha 25+5reb+4ast, S.Peng 14+3reb+2ast, W.Xiao 12+3reb+2ast, C.Shelby 10+8reb+1ast, Y.Li 5+3reb, T.Li 2+5reb
Hefei: J.Nared 24+10reb+2ast, D.Johnson 19+6reb+2ast, P.Kyei 13+6reb+1ast, Z.Min 10+1reb+7ast, P.Xuemei 9+1reb, L.Yingyun 8+1reb+1ast