WCBA Round 20 of Regular Season

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in WCBA. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The biggest surprise took place in Taiyuan where host Flame (16-4) beat league's leader Vermilion Birds (15-5) 83-79 on Tuesday evening. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shanxi made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Guangdong turnovers. The best player for the winners was American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Flame's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Wenxia Li (184-2004) produced 7 points and 14 rebounds for the guests. Flame have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Shanxi keeps a position of league leader. Defending champion Guangdong dropped to the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Sichuan. They were replaced at the leadership position by Hefei. Guangdong will play next round against Hebei trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Shanxi will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Jiangsu in Nanjing.
Important game to mention about took place in Nanjing. Third ranked Yuanda (15-5) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Jiangsu (12-8) 75-73 on Tuesday evening. American forward Natasha Howard (188-1991, college: FSU, agency: LBM Management) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Khaalia Hillsman contributed with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American center Jillian Alleyne (190-1994, college: Oregon) replied with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Jiangsu. Yuanda have a solid three-game winning streak. Sichuan moved-up to second place, which they share with Guangdong. Jiangsu at the other side keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Shanghai and Xinjiang. Sichuan will play against Wuhan (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Jiangsu will play against the league's leader Shanxi in Taiyuan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Wuhan supposed to be also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Swordfish (12-8) played at the court of 8th ranked hengfan (9-11). Swordfish smashed hengfan 93-70 on Tuesday. Worth to mention a great performance of Ruthy Hebard who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 20 rebounds. Ezinne Kalu responded with 22 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. Shanghai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Jiangsu and Xinjiang. Loser hengfan keeps the eighth position with 11 games lost. Shanghai will meet Shaanxi (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Wuhan will play against Sichuan in Chengdu and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 20 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Shanghai was crushed by Sichuan in Chengdu 105-82. Xinjiang beat Shaanxi at home 87-85. Shandong won against Zhejiang on the opponent's court 94-78. Beijing unfortunately lost to Hebei in a home game 81-91.
The best stats of 20th round was 23 points and 10 rebounds by Emily Potter of Hebei.

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.

Sichuan - Shanghai 105-82

There was no surprise in Chengdu where 6th ranked Swordfish (12-8) was crushed by third ranked Yuanda (15-5) 105-82 on Sunday. Sichuan dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Swordfish's 44 and made 24-of-27 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Sichuan had a 30-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Bulgarian center Khaalia Hillsman (196-1996, college: Texas A&M) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and American forward Natasha Howard (188-1991, college: FSU, agency: LBM Management) who added 27 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Center Ziqi Xu (195-2007) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and forward Xu Nuo (180-2002) scored 16 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Four Shanghai players 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 a solid three-game winning streak. Sichuan moved-up to second place, which they share with Guangdong. Loser Swordfish dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Jiangsu and Xinjiang. Sichuan will meet at home Wuhan (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Shanghai will play against Shaanxi in Weinan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shanghai: N.Xu 16+2reb+1ast, X.Ziqi 13+11reb+1ast, H.Ruthy 12+6reb+1ast, L.Yanxi 11+1reb, C.Huixuan 7+3reb+3ast, L.Meitong 7+4reb
Sichuan: K.Hillsman 29+11reb+1ast, N.Howard 27+5reb+6ast, L.Yuan 12+5reb+4ast, X.Tong 11+1reb, S.Wang 6+4reb+8ast, S.Gao 4+7reb+1ast

Shanxi - Guangdong 83-79

The biggest surprise took place in Taiyuan where host Flame (16-4) beat league's leader Vermilion Birds (15-5) 83-79 on Tuesday evening. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shanxi made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Guangdong turnovers. The best player for the winners was American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Flame's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Wenxia Li (184-2004) produced 7 points and 14 rebounds and the former international point guard Liwei Yang (175-1995) added 18 points respectively for the guests. Five Shanxi and four Guangdong players scored in double figures. Flame have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Shanxi keeps a position of league leader. Defending champion Guangdong dropped to the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Sichuan. They were replaced at the leadership position by Hefei. Guangdong will play next round against Hebei trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Shanxi will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Jiangsu in Nanjing.
Top scorers:
Guangdong: Y.Liwei 18+3reb+1ast, Y.Chen 13+3reb+2ast, Z.Jiali 11+3ast, C.Aliyah 10+8reb+2ast, Z.Mingzhu 8+4reb+1ast, L.Wenxia 7+14reb+1ast
Shanxi: K.Brown 21+10reb+2ast, Y.Lin 14+2reb+1ast, Q.Egbo 13+9reb+2ast, S.Kexin 11+3reb+2ast, M.Whittle 10+4reb+1ast, R.Zhai 6+3reb+2ast

Xinjiang - Shaanxi 87-85

No shocking result in a game in Urumqi where seventh ranked Magic Deer (12-8) edged 11th ranked Red Wolves (2-18) 87-85 on Tuesday. However just two-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Xinjiang dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Red Wolves's 20. Xinjiang looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Hungarian forward Beatrice Mompremier (193-1996, college: Miami, FL) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Wu Tongtong (176-1994) who added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Five Magic Deer players scored in double figures. Magic Deer's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American guard Sierra Calhoun (183-1996, college: Rutgers) responded with 29 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and point guard Zhuoya Fang (166-2000) scored 23 points. Magic Deer have an impressive six-game winning streak. Xinjiang moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Jiangsu and Shanghai. Shaanxi lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Zhejiang. Xinjiang will meet Zhejiang (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shaanxi will play against Shanghai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shaanxi: C.Sierra 29+8reb+3ast, F.Zhuoya 23+3reb+2ast, Z.Mengyun 9+4reb, F.Dyaisha 8+3reb+3ast, S.Yingying 7+5reb+5ast, C.Sidney 7+6reb+1ast
Xinjiang: B.Mompremier 23+12reb+4ast, W.Tongtong 14+5reb+8ast, J.Jackson 14+9reb+4ast, X.Wang 12+5reb+3ast, Z.Shuang 11+1ast, Z.Qifang 5+1reb+2ast

Zhejiang - Shandong 78-94

Very expected game in Yiwu where 12th ranked Golden Bulls (2-18) were defeated by fourth ranked Sports Lottery (13-7) 94-78 on Tuesday. Shandong dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Golden Bulls's 28 and made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. Shandong outrebounded Zhejiang 42-28 including 28 on the defensive glass. Shandong looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian forward Sara Blicavs (188-1993) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (193-1992, college: MTSU) who added 21 points during the contest. Guard Dong Keer (170-1999) responded with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Fengyi Sun (184-2004) scored 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. 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. Shandong maintains fourth position with 13-7 record. Zhejiang lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 18 games lost. They share the position with Shaanxi. Shandong will meet at home Beijing (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Zhejiang will play against Xinjiang and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zhejiang: K.Dong 24+5reb+4ast, S.Fengyi 19+6reb+4ast, A.Xu 15+2reb+5ast, Z.Qi 10+6reb+1ast, J.Yu 8+5reb+3ast, J.Chen 2+2reb+1ast
Shandong: S.Blicavs 22+14reb+4ast, C.Parker-Tyus 21+4reb+2ast, Z.Zhang 17+2reb, M.Caldwell 14+4reb+2ast, Y.Hengyu 8+4reb+5ast, Y.Qiao 6+6reb+5ast

Wuhan - Shanghai 70-93

The game in Wuhan supposed to be also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Swordfish (12-8) played at the court of 8th ranked hengfan (9-11). Swordfish smashed hengfan 93-70 on Tuesday. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to hengfan's 32 and made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Shanghai outrebounded Wuhan 56-24 including a 22-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Ruthy Hebard (192-1998, college: Oregon) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 20 rebounds and the other American import point guard Chennedy Carter (175-1998, college: Texas A&M) who added 29 points and 7 assists during the contest. Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) responded with 22 points and guard Ding Yike (172-2003) scored 14 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Shanghai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Jiangsu and Xinjiang. Loser hengfan keeps the eighth position with 11 games lost. Shanghai will meet Shaanxi (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Wuhan will play against Sichuan in Chengdu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Wuhan: K.Ezinne 22+1reb+3ast, Y.Ding 14+2reb+4ast, W.Peyton 14+6reb, H.Peng 9+4reb+2ast, C.Xuewen 4+1reb+1ast, M.Guo 4+3reb+1ast
Shanghai: C.Carter 29+3reb+7ast, R.Hebard 23+20reb, Z.Xu 13+6reb+1ast, W.Yue 6+5reb+2ast, H.Jing 5+8reb+1ast, Y.Li 5+5reb+1ast

Jiangsu - Sichuan 73-75

Important game to mention about took place in Nanjing. Third ranked Yuanda (15-5) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Jiangsu (12-8) 75-73 on Tuesday evening. Sichuan made 18-of-23 charity shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. American forward Natasha Howard (188-1991, college: FSU, agency: LBM Management) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American-Bulgarian center Khaalia Hillsman (196-1996, college: Texas A&M) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American center Jillian Alleyne (190-1994, college: Oregon) replied with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and center Xu Chenyan (200-1999) added 18 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Jiangsu. Four Jiangsu players scored in double figures. Yuanda have a solid three-game winning streak. Sichuan moved-up to second place, which they share with Guangdong. Jiangsu at the other side keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Shanghai and Xinjiang. Sichuan will play against Wuhan (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Jiangsu will play against the league's leader Shanxi in Taiyuan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: A.Jillian 20+7reb+4ast, H.Zhenzhen 19+1reb+5ast, C.Xu 18+9reb+1ast, X.Hong 12+4reb+5ast, Z.Lu 3+5reb+5ast, S.Chen 1+1reb
Sichuan: N.Howard 24+11reb+4ast, K.Hillsman 21+10reb+5ast, L.Yuan 13+1reb+3ast, S.Gao 7+9reb+7ast, S.Wang 5+3reb+5ast, Z.WangLai 3+2ast

Beijing - Hebei 81-91

The game between closely ranked teams ended with ninth ranked Power's (7-13) road victory over 10th ranked Beijing Great Wall (5-15) 91-81 on Wednesday. Hebei dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Beijing Great Wall's 22. Worth to mention a great performance of Canadian center Emily Potter (195-1995, college: Utah) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and the former international forward Wang Wang (183-1992) who added 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals during the contest. Power's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Irish-Australian swingman Alice Kunek (185-1991) responded with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and guard Zheng Ming (178-2001) scored 22 points. Four Beijing players scored in double figures. Hebei maintains ninth position with 7-13 record. Beijing lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 15 games lost. Hebei will meet league's second-placed Guangdong in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Beijing will play against Shandong (#4) in Penglai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Beijing: M.Zheng 22+2reb+2ast, K.Alice 17+5reb+4ast, J.Kai 15+8reb+2ast, Y.Li 10+5reb+2ast, W.Xiao 8+2reb+3ast, Z.Pan 7+4reb+1ast
Hebei: E.Potter 23+10reb+2ast, W.Wang 20+7reb+4ast, K.Davis 18+4reb, S.Wallace 8+1reb+1ast, X.Peng 8+5reb+6ast, N.Song 7+4reb+1ast