Guo Ailun (center) of the Liaoning Flying Leopards goes for a layup during the CBA playoff semifinal against the Guangdong Southern Tigers in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi province, April 16, 2022. (PENG ZHAOZHI / XINHUA)

ZHUJI, China - Liaoning Flying Leopards guard Guo Ailun moved up to ninth among the Chinese Basketball Association league's all-time leading scorers, as Liaoning cruised past the Sichuan Blue Whales 105-87 for their seventh straight win on Saturday.

Guo made one of two free throws with 6:56 to go for his 10th point of the game, which brought his tally to 8,289 points to surpass Li Nan, current head coach of the Jiangsu Dragons.

Sichuan rode on a 10-0 run in a span of less than three minutes to move ahead 18-15, while Liaoning's reserve center Fu Hao answered with a 3-pointer.

After setting up a 33-28 cushion at the end of the first quarter, Liaoning outscored Sichuan 28-11 in the second quarter for a 22-point halftime advantage

After setting up a 33-28 cushion at the end of the first quarter, Liaoning outscored Sichuan 28-11 in the second quarter for a 22-point halftime advantage.

Liaoning appeared to enjoy a comfortable win with a firm grip on their leading position. However, a flare-up occurred early in the fourth quarter when Liaoning forward Jakarr Sampson and Sichuan center Meng Tianyi contended for a rebound.

Sampson was given two technical fouls and ejected after scoring 11 points in 12 minutes, while Meng was ruled a technical foul.

All 12 Liaoning players contributed on the scoreboard, as Fu had a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds.

"Sichuan's young players are energetic and posed some troubles to us. We didn't focus on the game quite well, and had ups and downs," admitted Liaoning coach Yang Ming.

Sichuan coach Mo Ke was satisfied with his young guns' performances despite the loss. "They need to improve on how to handle the ball and make adjustments on the court. I'm willing to offer them opportunities to display themselves," said Mo.

The Nanjing Monkey Kings held off the Guangdong Southern Tigers' furious rally to win 110-99.

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Guangdong went scoreless in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, seeing Nanjing stretch their lead to 22 points. Then Guangdong scored 14 straight points to make it a single-digit game, before Zhao Baiqing's fast break dunk and Quentin Peterson's floater earned Nanjing a morale-boosting victory over the 11-time champions.

Nanjing led by 14 points with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter, while Guangdong responded with an 8-0 run afterwards. Guangdong, who only made one of eight 3-pointers, trailed at 44-50 at the intermission.

To add to Guangdong's woes, Zhao Rui injured his knee after landing awkwardly when guarding Wang Zirui's layup early in the third quarter. The Guangdong guard, who turns 27 on Saturday, had to be helped off the court and didn't return after scoring eight points.

Zhao Baiqing converted a three-point play to give Nanjing an eight-point lead entering the fourth.

Peterson finished with a game-high 34 points, and Lin Wei added 22. Hu Mingxuan scored 17 points to lead eight Guangdong players in double figures.

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Also on Saturday, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls tamed the Beijing Royal Fighters 107-72 and maintained their top spot in the league standings with a 22-4 record. Darius Adams shone with 60 points and 10 assists in the Fujian Sturgeons' 130-120 overtime victory over the Tianjin Pioneers.