RSSB Tigers edged Shanghai Jiushi Sharks 117-115 in a pulsating FIBA Intercontinental Cup clash on 23 September 2026, surviving a frantic final possession to claim a two-point win that will be remembered as one of the tournament's great shootouts. In a game that featured 20 lead changes and neither side ever leading by more than nine, the Tigers found the decisive basket in the closing seconds and then watched a contested Shanghai three-pointer rim out at the buzzer.

The result leaves the Sharks with a narrow defeat despite one of their most efficient offensive nights of the competition, while the Tigers strengthen their position in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup standings with a victory built on poise under pressure and a decisive edge at the free-throw line.

Match Overview

Played at a neutral venue in front of a lively, neutral crowd, the contest was everything the Intercontinental Cup promises: two champions from different basketball cultures trading blows in a game with genuine knockout intensity. Shanghai Jiushi Sharks brought their trademark CBA tempo and perimeter spacing; RSSB Tigers answered with physical half-court execution and a willingness to attack the rim in the biggest moments.

The quarter-by-quarter breakdown tells the story of a game that refused to break open. The Tigers jumped out to an early three-point cushion, the Sharks answered with a 30-point second quarter to take a slender lead into the locker room, and from there the two teams essentially traded baskets for 20 minutes.

Key Moments

• Opening burst: The Tigers came out aggressively, pushing the ball in transition and knocking down three early attempts from beyond the arc to lead 31-28 after ten minutes.
• Shanghai's response: A 30-point second quarter, fuelled by dribble penetration and second-chance points, gave the Sharks a two-point halftime edge and briefly quietened the Tigers' bench.
• Third-quarter tug of war: Neither team could string together more than two consecutive scores until the Tigers closed the period with a 7-2 run to reclaim a one-point advantage heading into the fourth.
• The finish: With the clock under 15 seconds and the score tied, the Tigers drew a foul on a drive to the rim, converted both free throws, and then forced a difficult, well-defended three-point attempt that spun out — sealing a 117-115 result.

Tactical Story

The tactical battle centred on pace. Shanghai wanted a fast, open game with early three-point attempts and quick transition attacks, and for long stretches they got it, shooting efficiently from deep and generating easy looks off drives and kick-outs. When the Sharks played with tempo, the Tigers' defence looked stretched and vulnerable in rotation.

RSSB Tigers, by contrast, were content to slow the game down and force Shanghai to defend in the half court. Their pick-and-roll coverage switched aggressively on the perimeter, and their big men did an excellent job of contesting at the rim without fouling early. The decisive tactical edge came on the glass and at the charity stripe: the Tigers won the rebounding battle in the second half and attempted more free throws than their opponents, turning that advantage into the two points that separated the teams.

Turnovers also proved costly. Shanghai's live-ball giveaways fed the Tigers' transition game, and each of those extra possessions mattered in a game decided by a single basket.

Standout Performers

RSSB Tigers were led by their captain and starting point guard, who controlled tempo throughout and delivered the game's most important decisions in the fourth quarter. Their shooting guard added a steady stream of perimeter scoring, while the starting centre dominated the defensive glass and converted several tough finishes through contact to keep the offence afloat during Shanghai's best runs.

Shanghai Jiushi Sharks got a superb all-round performance from their import forward, who scored inside and out and was the primary reason the Sharks stayed in front for much of the middle two quarters. Their point guard orchestrated well in pick-and-roll, finishing with a high assist count, and the bench provided a genuine spark in the second period with timely shooting and energy on the offensive boards.

What It Means for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup

For the Tigers, this is a statement result. Winning a game in which th