Zhao Jiwei guides Liaoning to beat Shanxi 114-111 in CBA

SHENYANG, China - Missing two All-Star starters due to injury, Liaoning Flying Leopards were carried by Zhao Jiwei and Lance Stephenson to beat Shanxi Loongs 116-108 in the Chinese Basketball Association here on Sunday.

As Guo Ailun and Han Dejun were both sidelined, Stephenson played a key role throughout the game, making a double-double of a game-high 37 points and 10 rebounds, while Zhao Jiwei hit five 3-pointers and added 24 points.

Shanxi led 81-75 into the fourth quarter, but Liaoning rallied from behind to tie 85-all on a 8-0 run before the home side turned over the table.

With Payne limping off the court, Shanxi went further away from a possible late comeback, only to see Liaoning claimed its third straight win.

Shanxi's Eric Moreland contributed nine points and 12 rebounds before he fouled out in the third quarter. New signing Cameron Payne had a comprehensive performance with 19 points, 7 assists, 7 steals and 5 rebounds. Yuan Shuai, who came through Liaoning's youth system, scored a team high 24 points for the visitor.

"It's a tough game, especially when we lost two key players. Our guys were not aggressive enough in the first half, but managed to find back the team work in the final quarter," Liaoning's coach Guo Shiqiang said.