Reigning champions the Liaoning Flying Leopards beat the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 123-112 to start the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League on Saturday.

Liaoning's star guard Kyle Fogg collected 39 points to help the four-time CBA titleholders smash their arch-rivals through a strong performance in the second half.

The Golden Bulls had won both of the two teams' regular season meetings in the 2023-24 season. Playing on the road, Zhejiang managed to win each of the first two quarters, leading nine points to finish the first half.

Liaoning rediscovered their rhythm in the third quarter. Fogg and fellow key scorers Zhao Jiwei and Marial Shayok stood out to help the team win the period 42-21. Zhejiang shooter Wu Qian made straight baskets in the final quarter, and the away team trimmed the deficit to seven points with less than three minutes left, but Zhao and Fogg each knocked down a three-pointer to seal the victory for Liaoning.

Zhao had 22 points and eight assists, and Shayok added 20 points.

Paris Bass had a team-best 23 points for Zhejiang, while Wu Qian and Gabriel York had 21 and 22 points respectively.

"The third quarter was the turning point," said Liaoning head coach Yang Ming. "We did a good job on stealing and rebounding, and our veteran Zhao contributed a lot on the offensive side."

"There are two good teams playing a tough match," said Fogg. "The coach had a good game plan and we executed well."

Liaoning now face the Fujian Sturgeons in the next round.

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