The tournament's third-ranked team Hebei Xianglan suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of ninth-place Jiangsu Hualan with a tough 120-114 loss in the 11^th round of the Chinese National Basketball League (NBL) on Wednesday night in Jian Yin.

With the loss, Hebei now joins Guizhou Senhang, Guang Xi Weizhuang, and Beijing Sport with a win-loss record of 7-4. Hualan on the other hand, improves to 6-5.

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Jiangsu ended the first half of the game with a 12-point advantage 59-47. However, Hebei Xianglan started the third period with a resurgance, as it staged a 38-25 run and recaptured the lead 85-84 entering the final twelve minutes of the ball game.

In the last quarter of the game, Hualan was able to recharge and regroupe. They stormed Hebei Xianglan with a 36-point fourth quarter while surrendering just 29 points to seal the victory.

Nigerian-American guard Michael Efevberha, who used to play for the Sichuan Blue Whales in the CBA in 2013 to 2015, led the winners with a team-high 41 points and 9 rebounds. Former NBA player Craig Brackins finished the night with an impressive double-double game performance of 23 points and 21 boards.

Jiangsu had four domestic players who finished the game in double figures, while the losers only had one. American Tony Mitchell paced Hebei Xianglan with an outstanding performance of 45 points and 12 rebounds while Tiny Gallon chipped in with 32 points and 19 boards.

Beijing Sport will next face Jiangsu Hualan. Beijing, which defeated the team of Eastern Army with a 136-112 victory, will also be difficult team to beat.

Hebei Xianglan will face the National Auto Service ballclub, which presently ranks 11^th in the league, with a 4-7 win-loss record.

TagsChinese National basketball League, hebei Xianglan, Jiangsu Hualan, michael efevberha, chinese basketball association