体坛英语新闻：Liaoning wins top-of-the-table clash

XI' AN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA) leaders Guangsha lost to Liaoning 121-115 on Tuesday in a head-to-head game in the 23rd round of the regular season.

Although Liaoning won the top-of-the-table clash and both teams had a 18-5 record, but it didn't move clear of Guangsha in the first spot.

Liaoning took a 58-53 lead in the first half. Guangsha's attack pace was disorganized by Liaoning, but after Courtney Fortson's outstanding solo shows, the bellwether kept narrowing the point gap in the third quarter.

Liaoning's big men were supposed to have an advantage. But the team couldn't impose its style on the other one, while neither Zhao Jiwei nor Liu Zhixuan could stop Fortson from earning points. Fortson missed a fatal three-pointer in the last 50 seconds, while Guo Ailun finished a fast break. At last, Liaoning locked the score at 121-115.

Lester Hudson contributed 34 points, six rebounds and six assists to Liaoning. Guo Ailun added 29 points and six assists. Fortson grabbed 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, still on the way of competing for the season MVP title.

Team Fujian got 24 three-pointers on its home soil, ending its four-game losing streak after winning over Shandong 115-104. Former NBA player Ding Yanyuhang scored 15 points plus six rebounds and seven assists, but his rival Zhao Tailong snatched 28 points for Fujian. It is Shandong's seventh defeat in the season.

In the other games played on Tuesday, Qingdao lost to Beijing 94-81, Shenzhen edged Bayi 106-101, Shanxi was defeated by Shanghai 116-97, Sichuan was beaten by Guangdong 115-101, Aolong won over Tianjin 114-111, Jiangsu was downed by Jilin 104-96, Xinjiang defeated Guangzhou 128-120.