Guangxi downs Jiangsu for 2-0 NBL lead

Guangxi Rhinos picked up a second consecutive win over Jiangsu Tongxi to take a 2-0 lead in the Chinese NBL finals series. The comfortable 103-85 success came at Guangxi’s home court and followed Sunday’s 81-98 road success in Jiangsu. The Rhinos have cruised through the opening two games and as the franchise heads on the road on Friday for Game 3 the players will feel confident that they can sweep the title series.

The hosts built the victory on consistent scoring in the mix, grabbing 74 points in the paint while restricting Tongxi to just 38 in the defensive key. The dominant defensive display was capped by 20 turnovers through the contest, while a well drilled offense plated up 23 dimes on the night.

Guangxi poured in 28 points during an exuberant first quarter which saw the home team take control with a lead of 28-19 after 10 minutes. The hosts slowed in the second period while the Jiangsu defense improved. The second quarter was shared 21 apiece, but the Rhinos headed in at halftime with a 9 point cushion, the score board reading 49-40. An explosive third quarter sent the home fans into raptures as Guangxi found bucket after bucket, smashing Tongxi with 28 points while getting mean at the perimeter to keep the visitors to 12. After 30 minutes the score was 78-52 and even though Jiangsu won the fourth stanza 26-33 it was not enough to stop Guangxi winning the game.

Sun Jie set the tone for the winners with 23 points and 7 assists, while Wang Jing collected 20 points and 4 dimes. There were two double-double performers in the home roster, Hamady N’Diaye with 19 points/14 rebounds and Lei Ji with 19 points/11 boards.

P.J. Couishard was the pick of the bunch for the losing effort as he picked up 17 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Xin Feng matched Couishard’s scoring with 17 points.