Taylor Rochestie (center) of Tianjin Pioneers competes during the 19th round match between Zhejiang Lions and Tianjin Pioneers at 2023-2024 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Dec 21, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

TIANJIN - Jared Sullinger's significant double-double helped the Shenzhen Aviators clinch a 109-101 victory over the Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League on Thursday.

Fujian and Shenzhen were evenly matched, as neither could gain the upper hand. The second quarter saw a tug of war with Shenzhen leading 53-52.

We have to be focused throughout the entire game, and there is a lot to summarize.

Zhang Qingpeng, Tianjin Pioneers coach 

In the third quarter, Fujian performed more smoothly to overtake the lead 86-82. After a 101-101 tie with three minutes left, Shenzhen surged ahead with an 8-0 run to seal the victory.

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Sullinger scored a game-high 32 points and grabbed 21 rebounds, while He Xining added 24 points for Shenzhen. On the Fujian side, Eugene German bagged 29 points.

Returning from injury, Zhao Yanhao scored 18 points and helped the Zhejiang Lions ease past the Tianjin Pioneers 129-103 at home.

Zhejiang started the game with a 5-0 run, led the first quarter 32-26, and took a 6-0 run to close the first half at 64-52. After that, Zhejiang never looked back.

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Sun Minghui scored 24 points, took seven rebounds, and provided 17 assists, while Hu Jinqiu contributed 23 points for Zhejiang.

"We have to be focused throughout the entire game, and there is a lot to summarize," said Tianjin coach Zhang Qingpeng.