The Yulon Luxgens managed a mild upset win over the Dacin Tigers at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Gymnasium in Greater Taichung yesterday afternoon by holding the Cats to a season-low 10 points in the decisive fourth to run away with a 71-62 triumph.
The win not only handed the Tigers their second loss of the young season, but also brought the previously winless Luxgens into the win column, putting a temporary stop to the four-time champs’ worst start in 11 seasons.
Ten first-quarter points by Dacin hired gun Reggie Okosa helped the Cats built a 21-16 advantage in the opening frame. However, the automakers reduced the deficit to a deuce at the half, with Wu Fong-cheng draining a pair of three-pointers to lead a second-quarter rally by Yulon.
Lu Cheng-rue’s timely return from a disappointing first week with a pair of threes lifted the Luxgens to a rare 53-52 lead by the end of the third, before their tenacious defense took over in the fourth with only 10 allowed points to the Tigers in the quarter to uphold the lead.
TAIWAN BEER 69, PURE YOUTH 71
Pure Youth Construction made it two wins in a row in front of the home crowd by rallying from as many as 11 down in the fourth quarter to escape with a 71-69 win over Taiwan Beer last night.
Tsai Wen-cheng’s crafty steal after an inbound pass by the Brew Crew, followed by a textbook layup with a minute remaining in the game, gave the Builders their first lead in the second half at 70-69, a lead they would not relinquish en route to the dramatic comeback win.
The half-court press defense that skipper Liu Yi-hsiang ordered proved brilliant, as Pure Youth forced four straight turnovers by the Brew Crew in the final minutes to set up the knockout punch.
Trailing by two with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, Taiwan Beer had one final chance to turn the tide with their final possession. However, an all-out defensive effort by the Builders kept the men in their familiar green-and-white uniforms from getting off a clean shot, leaving them two points short in an exciting, yet disappointing loss.
Quincy Davis led all scorers with 23 points and 12 rebounds in his return to action after missing Friday night’s game with the stomach flu. That was the difference in the game, as Taiwan Beer simply could not contain the Pure Youth center, who converted 11-for-14 from the field.
KINMEN LIQUOR 68, LEOPARDS 65
Kinmen Liquor also upset the previously unbeaten Taiwan Mobile Cloud Leopards thanks to the outstanding play of newcomer Aaron Pettway, who racked up 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six blocked shots to deliver the Distillers their first win of the season.
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