Liaoning wins third consecutive CBA championship

URUMQI -- The Liaoning Flying Leopards achieved a 4-0 sweep in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals after beating the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 104-95 in Game 4 on the road here on Wednesday, lifting the trophy for the third season in a row.

Seven players scored double digits for Liaoning, while Kyle Fogg, who efficiently notched 12 points in his 16-minute playing time, was awarded the CBA Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP).

Zhao Jiwei had 19 points and dished out 10 assists, Li Xiaoxu took 13 points and eight rebounds, and Han Dejun added a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Lindell Wigginton led Xinjiang with 25 points and seven assists, Wu Guanxi had nine points and 10 rebounds, and Qi Lin added 19 points. Abudushalamu Abudurexiti played 42 minutes in the game, but only made four out of 13 attempts, contributing 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Facing Fogg's early foul trouble, Liaoning's head coach Yang Ming had to send newcomer Sharife Cooper onto the court, and it turned out to be a smart move.

Cooper showcased his offensive toolkits and had a good job finding teammates' wide opens as he clinched 22 points, six rebounds, and nine assists throughout the night.

Combining Zhao's shooting and veteran center Han's efforts in the paint, Liaoning led the first half 53-47.

The deficit was soon enlarged coming back from lockers, after a couple of ingenious connections between forwards Fu Hao and Li Xiaoxu, and Liaoning carried a 12-point lead to enter the last 12 minutes.

While it was too early for Xinjiang to give up, Mitch Creek subbed in and quickly nailed down two 3-pointers, followed by Tang Caiyu's two jumpers, igniting Xinjiang's late comeback.

At the crucial moment, Yang Ming, who had been already received a technical foul in the first half, was given another due to six players standing on the court, resulting in his ejection. But later Xinjiang's offense stagnated, and Liaoning retook control led by Fogg to eye the time running out.

The third straight championship adds the Flying Leopards' CBA trophies to four in total. For Xinjiang, it's their sixth appearance in the Finals, but they have yet to reach the peak.