Guangsha wins CBA half season crown

BEIJING - Guangsha defeated Beijing 103-97 in the 19th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Thursday when the 2017-18 season started its second half regular games.

Three-time CBA winner Beijing tied the visitors 75-all after the first three quarters, before Hu Jinqiu helped Guangsha for a 6-0 run in the beginning of the fourth quarter.

After Fang Shuo's three pointers narrowed the gap to seven, Chang Lin was fouled out with two minutes remaining, a big blow to Beijing.

Hu Jinqiu led the visitors with 25 points, plus 14 rebounds, and Courtney Fortson even contributed a triple-double of 23 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, while Beijing's Justin Hamilton got 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The defending champion Xinjiang lost to Zhejiang 124-110, and was overtaken by the latter in the CBA standings for the play-offs tickets.

Sonny Weems poured in 51 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Zhejiang, while Xinjiang's Darius Adams scored a game-high 53 points and five rebounds.

In other games on Thursday, Shanxi lost to Tongxi 115-104, Sichuan was edged by Jilin 118-111, Jiangsu beat Aolong 121-105 and Bayi won over Fujian 110-107.