BEIJING, Nov. 1 -- Liaoning Flying Leopards lost to Zhejiang Golden Bulls 119-102 on Thursday, marking their second defeat in the opening six rounds of the 2018-19 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league's regular period.
Zhejiang took a 33-18 lead in the first quarter, and soon increased their advantage to 20 points during the second quarter, though Guo Ailun helped Liaoning make a 20-6 spurt before the half, keeping his team's hopes alive.
Zhejiang's attacks continued well until the middle of the third quarter, and Lester Hudson's three-pointer brought Liaoning level with less than four minutes of the third quarter remaining. However, Marcus Denmon earned five consecutive points to see Zhejiang with a slender four point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
With Liaoning's local stars Zhao Jiwei and Han Dejun both absent through injury, Zhejiang gained the upper hand in the final quarter, with Denmon as the hero, lodging 54 points and 11 rebounds. For Liaoning, Hudson contributed 30 points, five rebounds and three assists.
"We did everything well except stopping Marcus," rued Liaoning's head coach Guo Shiqiang after the match.
Elsewhere, Pierre Jackson earned 58 points and ten assists as his Beikong Fly Dragons side snatched their first victory of the season away at Jilin Northeast Tigers. Dominique Jones notched a 29-13-12 triple-double for Jilin, but the home team lost 136-121.
In the three other CBA matches played on Thursday, Bayi Rockets defeated Qingdao Eagles 110-106, Fujian Sturgeons beat Shandong Golden Stars 108-92, and Sichuan Blue Whales edged Tianjin Gold Lions 102-99.