Guo Ailun scores 31 to lead Liaoning past Nanjing

BEIJING - Guo Ailun scored 31 points and seven rebounds as Liaoning Flying Leopards beat Nanjing Monkey Kings 126-107 on Tuesday night.

Former NBA player Lance Stephenson lost his front teeth after a cynical foul from Tian Yuxiang last Sunday against Bayi, but he still appeared on the court on Tuesday.

Nanjing held a slender 79-78 advantage before the fourth quarter, but Liaoning embarked on runs of 13-2 and 12-2 in the fourth to open up an insurmountable 20 point advantage.

Stephenson notched 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Han Dejun added 18 for Liaoning, who won their third straight game after a season-opening two-game losing streak. Despite his team's defeat, Joseph Young scored a game-high 40 points for Nanjing.

"Liaoning used a lot of pick-and-rolls, and we were worse in defensive transition," lamented Cui Wanjun, head coach of Nanjing.

In Shanxi, Jamaal Franklin finished with 36 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season, and Yuan Shuai added 20 points after finishing 7 of 12 from the field, including 6 of 11 3-pointers, to help Shanxi Loongs beat Shanghai Sharks 106-87.

In Tuesday's other games, Shandong Heroes rallied to beat Tianjin Pioneers 96-82 with six players reaching double figures, and Qingdao Eagles routed Guangzhou Loong Lions 115-100.