WCBA Round 21 (Regular Season): Xiamen beat Henan by one after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game of round 21 in the WCBA took place in Xiamen. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of second-best Henan Phoenix (12-7) to fourth ranked Xiamen (12-7) 83-82 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Henan Phoenix. Xiamen made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Henan 46-31 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American-Jordanian guard Aisha Sheppard (175-1998, college: Virginia Tech) who saved her team from a defeat with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) contributed with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (175-1996, college: Maryland) answered with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for Henan. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Xiamen have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Liaoning and Henan. Xiamen is looking forward to face league's second-placed Henan in Jiyuan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Henan will have a break next round.
WCBA top team - Hefei (17-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed sixth ranked Ganzhou (1-18) 94-54. Guard Ze Wang (179-2002) stepped up and scored 11 points and 4 assists for the winners and Phillipina Kyei chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Zhang Jingdan (183-1959) 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. Hefei have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 17-2 record. Ganzhou lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 18 games lost. Hefei will again play against Ganzhou (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Ganzhou will have a break next round.
WCBA top team - Flame (17-4) managed to deliver another win on Friday. This time they beat seventh ranked Jiangsu (12-9) in Taiyuan 87-78. Kalani Brown nailed a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Xu Chenyan came up with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Jiangsu in the defeat. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Flame. Shanxi maintains first place with 17-4 record. Jiangsu at the other side keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Shanxi will meet Hebei (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jiangsu will play against Beijing and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 21: Shanghai smashed Shaanxi on the road 90-67. Fujian Z. was destroyed by Liaoning on its own court 79-98. Beijing unfortunately lost to Shandong in Penglai 72-88. Guangdong managed to beat Hebei at home 83-76. Wuhan was crushed by Sichuan on the opponent's court 93-73. Zhejiang was smashed by Xinjiang in a home game 70-104.
The most impressive performance of 21th round was 25 points and 5 assists by Fengyi Sun of Zhejiang.

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 - Shanghai 67-90

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Swordfish (13-8) crushed 11th ranked Red Wolves (2-19) in Weinan 90-67 on Thursday. Shanghai dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Red Wolves's 36. Shanghai outrebounded Shaanxi 38-21 including a 29-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Ruthy Hebard (192-1998, college: Oregon) nailed a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winning side and her fellow American import point guard Chennedy Carter (175-1998, college: Texas A&M) accounted for 28 points and 5 assists. American power forward Sidney Cooks (193-1998, college: Seton Hall) came up with 27 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Zhuoya Fang (166-2000) added 17 points respectively for Shaanxi in the defeat. 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 fifth place with 13-8 record, which they share with Xinjiang. Shaanxi lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 19 games lost. They share it with Zhejiang. Shanghai will meet at home Xinjiang (#6) in the next round. Shaanxi will play against the league's second-placed Guangdong (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shaanxi: C.Sidney 27+6reb+2ast, F.Zhuoya 17+2ast, S.Yingying 9+3reb+1ast, F.Jing 7+5reb+3ast, C.Yu-Chieh 3+1reb, F.Dyaisha 3+1reb+3ast
Shanghai: C.Carter 28+4reb+5ast, R.Hebard 27+17reb+5ast, Y.Li 16+3reb, X.Wu 9+5reb+3ast, H.Chu 5, H.Jing 3+1reb

Fujian Z. - Liaoning 79-98

Rather expected game when 5th ranked Fujian Nanan (3-16) was smashed by third ranked Liaoning Hengye (12-7) in Putian 98-79 on Thursday. Liaoning forced 23 Fujian Z. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Fujian Z.'s players. American forward Myisha Hines-Allen (185-1996, college: Louisville) nailed a triple-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and her fellow American import point guard Tea Cooper (173-1997, college: Baylor) accounted for 32 points. Nigerian center Blessing Ejiofor (196-1998, college: WVU) came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds and guard Rumeng Tan (171-2003) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Fujian Z. in the defeat. Four Fujian Z. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Liaoning moved-up to second place, which they share with Henan and Xiamen. Fujian Z. lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 16 games lost. Liaoning will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fujian Z. will play against Liaoning (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fujian Z.: T.Rumeng 15+5reb+3ast, X.Lin 14+1reb, E.Blessing 13+15reb, R.Yang 11, Z.Ziyue 10+1reb+1ast, C.Sun 6+3reb
Liaoning: T.Cooper 32+3reb, M.Hines-Allen 21+10reb+10ast, S.Wu 13+2reb+1ast, H.Yiming 8+3reb+3ast, Y.Wang 6+1reb+2ast, M.Chen 4+3reb+6ast

Hefei - Ganzhou 94-54

WCBA top team - Hefei (17-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed sixth ranked Ganzhou (1-18) 94-54. Hefei dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Ganzhou's 10. They outrebounded Ganzhou 40-21 including a 25-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Hefei players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Ganzhou's players. Guard Ze Wang (179-2002) stepped up and scored 11 points and 4 assists for the winners and Canadian center Phillipina Kyei (203-2003, college: Oregon) chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds. Five Hefei players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Zhang Jingdan (183-1959) with 22 points and guard Yang Kejing (175-1962) scored 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hefei have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 17-2 record. Ganzhou lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 18 games lost. Hefei will again play against Ganzhou (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Ganzhou will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ganzhou: J.Zhang 22+2reb, H.Mengsi 11+2reb, K.Yang 11+8reb+4ast, Y.Xu 5+1reb+2ast, F.Zhao 3, X.Xu 2+2reb
Hefei: D.Johnson 13+2ast, L.Xiyue 12+3reb+1ast, Y.Li 11+3reb+2ast, Z.Wang 11+2reb+4ast, J.Nared 11+1reb, P.Kyei 10+6reb+1ast

Xiamen - Henan 83-82

The most exciting game of round 21 in the WCBA took place in Xiamen. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of second-best Henan Phoenix (12-7) to fourth ranked Xiamen (12-7) 83-82 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Henan Phoenix. Xiamen made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Henan 46-31 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American-Jordanian guard Aisha Sheppard (175-1998, college: Virginia Tech) who saved her team from a defeat with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (175-1996, college: Maryland) answered with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals and guard Deng Ruijie (173-1995) added 18 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Henan. Four Xiamen and five Henan players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Xiamen have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Liaoning and Henan. Xiamen is looking forward to face league's second-placed Henan in Jiyuan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Henan will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Henan: R.Deng 18+5reb+1ast, W.Shatori 18+5reb+4ast, S.Anete 13+5reb+1ast, S.MengXin 12+2reb+1ast, M.Imani 10+8reb, W.Ma 8+1reb+1ast
Xiamen: A.Sheppard 33+8reb+2ast, A.Pocek 19+13reb+2ast, P.Shiqing 11+8reb+3ast, L.Tingyi 10+8reb+2ast, X.Wanyu 8+5reb, R.Marshall 2+1reb

Shandong - Beijing 88-72

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Sports Lottery (14-7) won against 10th ranked Beijing Great Wall (5-16) in Penglai 88-72 on Friday. Shandong made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. American forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (193-1992, college: MTSU) nailed 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Australian forward Sara Blicavs (188-1993) accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds. Four Sports Lottery players scored in double figures. Irish-Australian swingman Alice Kunek (185-1991) came up with 14 points and 7 rebounds and American point guard Tiffany Mitchell (175-1994, college: S.Carolina) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Beijing in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shandong maintains fourth place with 14-7 record. Beijing lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 16 games lost. Shandong will meet higher ranked Sichuan (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Beijing will play against Jiangsu (#7) in Nanjing and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Beijing: K.Alice 14+7reb+1ast, M.Tiffany 11+5reb+2ast, W.Xiao 9+3reb+3ast, J.Yu 9+1reb, Z.Pan 8+5reb, M.Zheng 8+5reb+3ast
Shandong: C.Parker-Tyus 22+9reb, M.Caldwell 15+5reb, S.Blicavs 14+7reb+1ast, Y.Hengyu 11+6reb+2ast, J.Cao 7+1reb+3ast, Z.Zhang 6+2reb+1ast

Guangdong - Hebei 83-76

Not a big story in a game when 9th ranked Power (7-14) lost to second ranked Vermilion Birds (16-5) in Dongguan 76-83 on Friday. Guangdong outrebounded Hebei 35-22 including 23 on the defensive glass. Forward Wenxia Li (184-2004) nailed a double-double by scoring 29 points and 17 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Aliyah Collier (183-1997, college: Clemson) accounted for 12 points and 5 rebounds. Five Vermilion Birds players scored in double figures. American-British guard Sydney Wallace (175-1993, college: Georgia Tech) came up with 23 points and Taiwanese guard Xiaotong Peng (168-1998) added 23 points respectively for Hebei in the defeat. Power's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second place with 16-5 record behind leader Hefei, which they share with Sichuan. Hebei at the other side keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Guangdong will meet Shaanxi (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hebei will play against the league's leader Shanxi and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hebei: P.Xiaotong 23+4reb+2ast, W.Sydney 23+4reb+3ast, D.Kayla 10+1ast, W.Wang 8+3reb+6ast, P.Emily 6+6reb+1ast, W.Ziyi 4+2reb
Guangdong: W.Li 29+17reb+2ast, A.Collier 12+5reb+3ast, J.Zhong 11+3reb+1ast, S.Reid 11+2reb+1ast, M.Zhang 10+3reb+1ast, L.Yang 8+2reb+3ast

Shanxi - Jiangsu 87-78

WCBA top team - Flame (17-4) managed to deliver another win on Friday. This time they beat seventh ranked Jiangsu (12-9) in Taiyuan 87-78. Shanxi dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Jiangsu's 30. Shanxi looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American center Kalani Brown (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: LBM Management) nailed a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field) for the winning side and her fellow American import center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) accounted for 14 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Center Xu Chenyan (200-1999) came up with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American center Jillian Alleyne (190-1994, college: Oregon) added 14 points and 8 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) respectively for Jiangsu in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Flame. Shanxi maintains first place with 17-4 record. Jiangsu at the other side keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Shanxi will meet Hebei (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jiangsu will play against Beijing and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: C.Xu 19+7reb+4ast, X.Hong 17+1reb+1ast, A.Jillian 14+8reb+3ast, J.Jazmine 11+4reb+5ast, H.Zhenzhen 6+3reb+6ast, M.Wu 6+4reb+2ast
Shanxi: K.Brown 29+14reb+1ast, Q.Egbo 14+14reb+6ast, M.Whittle 11+3reb+2ast, R.Zhai 11+1reb+8ast, Y.Lin 9+2reb+4ast, S.Kexin 7+1reb

Sichuan - Wuhan 93-73

Everything went according to plan when third ranked Yuanda (16-5) outplayed 8th ranked hengfan (9-12) in Chengdu 93-73 on Friday. Sichuan outrebounded Wuhan 49-23 including a 36-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sichuan looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American forward Natasha Howard (188-1991, college: FSU, agency: LBM Management) nailed a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 18 rebounds for the winning side and American-Bulgarian center Khaalia Hillsman (196-1996, college: Texas A&M) accounted for 20 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Yuanda players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) came up with 23 points and guard Ding Yike (172-2003) added 19 points respectively for Wuhan in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Yuanda. Sichuan moved-up to second place, which they share with Guangdong. Loser hengfan keeps the eighth position with 12 games lost. Sichuan will meet at home Shandong (#4) in the next round. Wuhan will play against Zhejiang (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Wuhan: K.Ezinne 23+4reb+2ast, Y.Ding 19+3reb+3ast, W.Peyton 12+6reb, N.Olivia 8+5reb+2ast, H.Peng 4+3reb+4ast, S.Shang 4+1reb+1ast
Sichuan: N.Howard 37+18reb+3ast, K.Hillsman 20+10reb+2ast, S.Jia 14+1reb+2ast, S.Gao 13+12reb+7ast, L.Yuan 5+2reb+6ast, S.Li 2+2reb

Zhejiang - Xinjiang 70-104

There was no surprise when 11th ranked Golden Bulls (2-19) were outleveled by sixth ranked Magic Deer (13-8) in Yiwu 104-70 on Friday. Xinjiang forced 22 Zhejiang turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Zhejiang's players. Forward Li Tiansu (191-2002) nailed 17 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and the former international forward Xuemeng Wang (185-1993) accounted for 18 points. Four Magic Deer players scored in double figures. Fengyi Sun (184-2004) came up with 25 points and 5 assists and center Mengfan Dai (194-2005) added 12 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Zhejiang in the defeat. 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. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Magic Deer. Xinjiang moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Shanghai. Zhejiang lost their tenth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 19 games lost. They share it with Shaanxi. Xinjiang will meet Shanghai (#5) on the road in the next round. Zhejiang will play against Wuhan (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zhejiang: S.Fengyi 25+4reb+5ast, D.Mengfan 12+10reb+2ast, Y.Chen 9+3reb, Z.Qi 9+2reb+4ast, J.Chen 7+3reb+2ast, S.Xuran 2+2reb
Xinjiang: X.Wang 18+2reb+1ast, L.Tiansu 17+5reb, T.Simmons 16+2reb+2ast, C.Zhang 12+1reb+2ast, B.Mompremier 10+4reb, Z.Qifang 7+1reb+6ast