The Fujian Xunxing Sturgeons edged the Sichuan FengguJiuye 98-96 in a CBA thriller on October 9, 2026, surviving a frantic final possession to open their home campaign with a two-point victory. In a game that swung wildly across four quarters, Fujian's late-game poise at the free-throw line proved the difference, while Sichuan were left to rue a handful of missed looks in the closing 90 seconds that could easily have flipped the result.

Match Overview

Played in front of a lively home crowd, the contest was everything a CBA fixture promises: fast breaks, physical interior play, and a scoreline that stayed within a single possession for most of the fourth quarter. Neither team managed to build a double-digit cushion, and the lead changed hands more than a dozen times over the course of the evening. Fujian's 98 points came on the back of efficient perimeter shooting and a decisive advantage in second-chance scoring, while Sichuan's 96 reflected a gutsy road performance built on drives to the rim and mid-range execution.

How the Game Unfolded

Fujian opened with intent, pushing the tempo early and attacking the Sichuan defense before it could set. The hosts built a modest cushion through the first period, only for Sichuan to steady themselves with a disciplined half-court offense in the second. By halftime, the margin had been whittled down to a single basket.

The third quarter belonged, in stretches, to Sichuan. Their guards found rhythm off ball screens, and a run midway through the period gave the visitors their largest lead of the night. Fujian responded the way good teams do — not with panic, but with defensive stops. A switch to a more aggressive help scheme on the perimeter forced several contested jumpers and turned the momentum back toward the home side heading into the final frame.

Key Moments

• Third-quarter surge: Sichuan's mid-period run briefly put them in control, stretching the defense and forcing Fujian into early shot-clock decisions.
• The defensive stand: Fujian's adjustment on the perimeter late in the third produced back-to-back stops that sparked the transition baskets which ultimately decided the game.
• Final two minutes: With the score tied, Fujian converted key free throws and got one crucial defensive rebound, while Sichuan's last-gasp three-point attempt rimmed out as the buzzer sounded.

Tactical Story

The game was a classic contrast in styles. Fujian wanted pace — quick outlet passes, early offense, and three-point volume. Sichuan preferred to slow things down, working the ball inside and using their size on the offensive glass. The Sturgeons' ability to convert defensive rebounds into transition points kept them in front, and their willingness to attack the rim late rather than settle for jumpers was the smartest decision of the night.

Defensively, Fujian's late switch to a more compact zone look disrupted Sichuan's pick-and-roll rhythm, forcing the visitors into longer possessions at precisely the moment when clock management mattered most.

Standout Performers

Fujian's backcourt dictated the tempo throughout, combining to create most of the team's assists and repeatedly breaking down the Sichuan defense off the dribble. On the interior, the Sturgeons' big men did the unglamorous work — boxing out, contesting shots, and converting second-chance opportunities that padded the final margin.

For Sichuan, the performance was built on balance rather than one dominant scorer. Their guards kept the offense organized and hit timely shots to keep the game close, while their forwards battled on the boards to give the team extra possessions. It was a road display that deserved more than a two-point defeat.

Season Impact

Two points is a thin margin in a CBA season where tiebreakers and point differential can matter enormously by spring. For Fujian Xunxing Sturgeons, this is a confidence-building win — proof that they can close out tight games at home and defend a late lead under pressure. For Sichuan FengguJiuye, the loss is a frustrating but instructive one: they competed for 48 minutes on the road and will take encouragement from the execution that got them into a winning position late.

Both teams now turn their attention to the next fixture on the calendar, with Fujian looking to build momentum from a winning start and Sichuan hunting a response on home soil.