Xiangtan outlasted Zhuzhou 88–85 in a tense Hunan Basketball Association clash on May 10, 2026. The home team used a balanced scoring attack and a stifling second-half defense to overcome a slow start. Xiangtan improved to 3-1, while Zhuzhou dropped to 2-2 after a gritty performance that saw them lead late into the fourth quarter.

First Half: Zhuzhou’s Hot Shooting

Zhuzhou came out on fire, hitting 55 percent from the field in the first half. Guard Wang Tao scored 14 points in the first two quarters, drilling three-pointers and getting to the rim at will. Xiangtan struggled to contain dribble penetration, allowing Zhuzhou to build a 47–40 halftime advantage. The home fans grew restless as their team’s offense looked disjointed.

Xiangtan’s Defensive Adjustment

Head coach Huang Lei switched to a 2-3 zone at the start of the third quarter, daring Zhuzhou to shoot from outside. The strategy worked: Zhuzhou missed seven of their next nine three-point attempts, and Xiangtan’s transition game kicked in. Small forward Chen Bin scored eight points in a 12–2 run that gave Xiangtan a 60–55 lead. The quarter ended with Xiangtan up 68–64.

Fourth-Quarter Drama

Zhuzhou refused to go quietly. With two minutes left, Wang Tao hit a step-back jumper to tie the game at 83. But Xiangtan’s star point guard Xu Yang answered with a clutch floater, then stole the ball on the next possession and found Chen Bin for a dunk, making it 87–83. Zhuzhou cut it to 87–85 on a putback, but Xu Yang split a pair of free throws to set the final margin. Zhuzhou’s last-second half-court heave missed badly.

Key Performances

• Xiangtan: Chen Bin – 22 points, 7 rebounds; Xu Yang – 18 points, 9 assists, 4 steals; center Liu Wei – 12 points, 10 rebounds.
• Zhuzhou: Wang Tao – 27 points, 4 assists; forward Zhao Jun – 16 points, 8 rebounds.

Standings Impact

Xiangtan moves into a tie for first place with Loudi at 3-1, while Zhuzhou remains in the middle of the pack at 2-2. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on the final day of the regular season, a matchup that could have playoff seeding implications.