Zhejiang Guangsha Lions vs Yulon Luxgen Dinos during The Asia League’s ‘The Terrific 12’ at Studio City Event Center on 19 September 2018, in Macau, Macau. Photo by Win Chung Jacky Tsui / Power Sport Images for Asia League
MACAU—Zhejiang Guangsha breathed a huge sigh of relief to start its campaign after coming away with a 96-94 win over Yulon Luxgen in their Group A match in the Asia League The Terrific 12 Wednesday at Studio City Events Center here.
The Lions from the Chinese Basketball Association can still advance to the semifinals after eliminating the Dinos, who play in the Super Basketball League of Chinese Taipei.
B.League’s Nagoya also has a chance for the semifinal round.
Zhejiang Guangsha’s win, however, didn’t come in a breeze after it squandered a 10-point lead, 95-85, with just 1:21 left in the game.
The Dinos mounted a 7-0 run to trim the deficit to three, 95-92, after Shaquille Hines’ layup but Courtney Fortson’s single free throw for the 96-92 lead proved to be enough for the Lions to hold on.
Ioannis Bourousis had a 32-point, 14-rebound double-double to carry the Lions while Lin Chih-Chieh added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Lu Cheng-Ju led the Dinos with 19 points while Hines added 18 points and eight boards.
The Dinos ended the group stage with a 0-2 record, eliminating them from the competition.