WCBA Round 20 (Regular Season): Hefei defeat Heilongjiang in the closest game of the week

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game of round 20 in the WCBA took place in Hefei. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Dragons (13-5) to fifth ranked Hefei (10-8) 75-72 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of center Taiyanna Jackson (198-2000, college: Kansas) who helped to win the game recording 9 points and 15 rebounds and point guard Kiana Williams (170-1999, college: Stanford) who added 17 points and 5 assists during the contest. Hefei's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Myisha Hines-Allen (185-1996, college: Louisville) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Hefei moved-up to third place, which they share with Shandong. Heilongjiang at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. They share it with Guangdong and Shanxi. Hefei is looking forward to face Heilongjiang (#3) in Daqing in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Heilongjiang will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Xiamen. Eighth ranked Xiamen (5-13) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Liaoning Hengye (9-9) 78-75 on Tuesday evening. The winners were led by American center Imani McGee-Stafford (201-1994, college: Texas) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 28 rebounds and Wong Yew-Yan supported her with 25 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds by Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) did not help to save the game for Liaoning. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Xiamen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 5-13 record. Liaoning at the other side dropped to the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Jiangsu. Xiamen will play against higher ranked Liaoning (#6) in Anshan in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Liaoning will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Weinan. Third ranked host Red Wolves (13-4) defeated second-ranked hengfan (13-4) 72-68. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of hengfan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The best player for the winners was Queen Egbo who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 24 rebounds. Peyton Williams produced 9 points and 16 rebounds for the guests. hengfan's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Red Wolves have an impressive six-game winning streak. Shaanxi used an opportunity after Wuhan lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated Wuhan. Shaanxi will meet at home league's leader Wuhan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Wuhan will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 20: winless Tianjin lost to Ganzhou on the opponent's court 78-90. Shandong outscored Xinjiang in a home game 92-52. Hebei recorded a loss to Zhejiang on the road 96-89.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 27 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals by Ezinne Kalu 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.

Ganzhou - Tianjin 90-78

Rather expected game when bottom-ranked Ronggang (0-18) was defeated on the road by seventh ranked Ganzhou (6-12) 90-78 on Tuesday. Ganzhou outrebounded Tianjin 48-32 including a 37-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American power forward Sidney Cooks (193-1998, college: Seton Hall) who scored 32 points and 9 rebounds. Zhang Jingdan (183-1999) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. Four Ganzhou players scored in double figures. Guard Zhao Fangxin (168-1999) produced 26 points and 6 rebounds and forward Cui Yuxuan (174-2003) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Ganzhou maintains seventh position with 6-12 record. Loser Ronggang still closes the standings with 18 games lost. They share the position with Fujian. Ganzhou will meet at home Tianjin (#9) in the next round. Tianjin will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ganzhou: C.Sidney 32+9reb+1ast, C.Sun 20+4reb+1ast, J.Zhang 16+12reb+1ast, Y.Lu 12+1ast, Y.Xu 5+4reb+2ast, K.Yang 4+9reb+10ast
Tianjin: F.Zhao 26+6reb+2ast, Y.Cui 19+5reb, G.Zhang 10+4reb+3ast, R.Cheng 5+5reb, Q.Bao 5+2reb+1ast, T.Zhang 4+3reb+1ast

Hefei - Heilongjiang 75-72

The most exciting game of round 20 in the WCBA took place in Hefei. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Dragons (13-5) to fifth ranked Hefei (10-8) 75-72 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of center Taiyanna Jackson (198-2000, college: Kansas) who helped to win the game recording 9 points and 15 rebounds and point guard Kiana Williams (170-1999, college: Stanford) who added 17 points and 5 assists during the contest. Four Hefei players scored in double figures. Hefei's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Myisha Hines-Allen (185-1996, college: Louisville) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists and power forward Kennedy Brown (190-2000, college: Duke) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Hefei moved-up to third place, which they share with Shandong. Heilongjiang at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. They share it with Guangdong and Shanxi. Hefei is looking forward to face Heilongjiang (#3) in Daqing in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Heilongjiang will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hefei: W.Kiana 17+2reb+5ast, L.Xi-Ye 14+2ast, J.Xing 11+7reb+6ast, W.Wei-Lin 10+1reb+1ast, J.Taiyanna 9+15reb, G.Feng 4
Heilongjiang: H.Myisha 29+12reb+6ast, B.Kennedy 15+11reb+2ast, Y.Zhou 12+4reb+7ast, R.Sun 8+2ast, Y.Li 3+2reb, L.Shuqing 2

Shandong - Xinjiang 92-52

Rather predictable result in Penglai where third ranked Sports Lottery (10-8) smashed 5th ranked Magic Deer (2-16) 92-52 on Tuesday. Shandong dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Magic Deer's 22. Shandong outrebounded Xinjiang 49-29 including a 38-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shandong looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Marquesha Davis (183-2001, college: Ole Miss) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Australian forward Alanna Smith (193-1996, college: Stanford) chipped in 18 points and 7 rebounds. Wu Yifan (184-1995) produced 22 points and swingman Cai Xiaoyu (175-2000) added 7 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sports Lottery have a solid three-game winning streak. Shandong maintains third position with 10-8 record having just three points less than leader Wuhan, which they share with Hefei. Xinjiang lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Hebei. Shandong will meet at home league's leader Sichuan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Xinjiang will play against the league's leader Shanxi (#1) in Taiyuan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shandong: D.Marquesha 20+13reb+1ast, S.Alanna 18+7reb+2ast, W.Yingzhu 12+3reb+1ast, H.Yang 9+3reb+1ast, A.Jing 8+6reb, C.Wei 7+5ast
Xinjiang: Y.Wu 22+3reb+2ast, M.Zhu 9+4reb, X.Cai 7+4reb+4ast, Y.Li 4+4reb+2ast, X.Xinpeng 3+10reb+1ast, Y.Wang 3+1ast

Xiamen - Liaoning 78-75

Important game to mention about took place in Xiamen. Eighth ranked Xiamen (5-13) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Liaoning Hengye (9-9) 78-75 on Tuesday evening. The winners were led by American center Imani McGee-Stafford (201-1994, college: Texas) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 28 rebounds and guard Wong Yew-Yan (172-1997) supported her with 25 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds by Montenegrin center Ana Pocek (190-1993) did not help to save the game for Liaoning. Center Wang Qiuyi (187-1999) added 23 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Xiamen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 5-13 record. Liaoning at the other side dropped to the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Jiangsu. Xiamen will play against higher ranked Liaoning (#6) in Anshan in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Liaoning will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Xiamen: Y.Wong 25+2reb+2ast, M.Imani 22+28reb+3ast, Y.Li 10+5reb+1ast, T.Li 6+5reb+2ast, C.QI 6+2reb, T.Lai 5+4reb
Liaoning: P.Ana 25+15reb+1ast, Q.Wang 23+9reb+1ast, G.Yifei 12+1reb, W.Ye 6+6reb+3ast, Y.Li 3+2reb+3ast, J.Liu 2+2reb

Shaanxi - Wuhan 72-68

The game between Top Four teams took place in Weinan. Third ranked host Red Wolves (13-4) defeated second-ranked hengfan (13-4) 72-68. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of hengfan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shaanxi outrebounded Wuhan 47-33 including a 38-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American center Queen Egbo (193-2000, college: Baylor) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 24 rebounds. The other American import guard Linnae Harper (175-1995, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 14 points. American power forward Peyton Williams (193-1998, college: Kansas St.) produced 9 points and 16 rebounds and center Fu Jinqiu (188-1996) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. hengfan's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Red Wolves have an impressive six-game winning streak. Shaanxi used an opportunity after Wuhan lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated Wuhan. Shaanxi will meet at home league's leader Wuhan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Wuhan will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shaanxi: E.Queen 25+24reb+2ast, H.Linnae 14+4reb+1ast, L.Qi 11+3reb+2ast, Z.Zhuoya 7+2reb+2ast, J.Liu 5+1reb+1ast, D.Shang 5+5reb+3ast
Wuhan: F.Jing 14+1reb, O.Khulan 13+4reb+3ast, J.Fu 12+7reb+2ast, W.Peyton 9+16reb+3ast, Y.Ding 8+1reb+1ast, S.Yu 7+2reb+1ast

Zhejiang - Hebei 96-89

Not a big story in a game in Yiwu where 6th ranked Power (2-16) was defeated by second ranked Golden Bulls (11-7) 96-89 on Wednesday. Zhejiang made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu (173-1992, college: SSU) who scored 27 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. Point guard Wang Jiaqi (173-1999) chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Five Golden Bulls players scored in double figures. American guard Destiny Littleton (175-1999, college: USC) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Li Bingzhen (172-2000) added 21 points, 7 assists and 4 steals respectively for the guests. Zhejiang maintains second position with 11-7 record having just two points less than leader Wuhan, which they share with Shanghai and Inner M. Hebei lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Xinjiang. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Zhejiang: K.Ezinne 27+7reb+8ast, M.Zhang 23+3reb+3ast, J.Yu 16+2reb, J.Wang 14+7reb+8ast, K.Dong 14+3reb+1ast, W.Shan 2+3reb+2ast
Hebei: L.Destiny 25+11reb+4ast, B.Li 21+4reb+7ast, S.Peng 17+11reb+4ast, Y.Zhang 9+5reb+2ast, B.Trinity 7+1ast, M.Sun 6+4reb+5ast