Dezmine Wells (C) of Liaoning Flying Leopards passes the ball during the play-off semifinal 1st round match between Zhejiang Lions and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

HANGZHOU, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The Zhejiang Lions defeated the defending champions Liaoning Flying Leopards 109-90, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs.

The Flying Leopards have won three consecutive CBA titles over the past three seasons. The two teams previously met in the 2021-2022 CBA Finals, where Liaoning swept the series 4-0.

Playing on their home court, the Lions had an impressive start, leading the first quarter 34-22. Although the Leopards fought hard to recover in the second period, the Lions widened the gap to over 20 points, securing a first-half lead of 59-37.

In the third quarter, the Leopards reduced the deficit to 17 points, but the Lions pulled ahead in the final quarter, with key contributions from Hu Jinqiu and Zhu Junlong.

Six Zhejiang players scored in double digits, with Barry Brown leading the team with 24 points, followed by Hu with 15 points. Kyle Fogg contributed 20 points for the Leopards.

The Lions will host the Leopards in the second game of the series on Monday. ■

Kyle Fogg (up) of of Liaoning Flying Leopards vies with Zhu Junlong of Zhejiang Lions during the play-off semifinal 1st round match between Zhejiang Lions and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

Barry Brown (R) of Zhejiang Lions shoots during the play-off semifinal 1st round match between Zhejiang Lions and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

Barry Brown (1st R) of Zhejiang Lions breaks through during the play-off semifinal 1st round match between Zhejiang Lions and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

Dezmine Wells (R) of Liaoning Flying Leopards goes for a layup during the play-off semifinal 1st round match between Zhejiang Lions and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

James Nunnally (top R) of Zhejiang Lions shoots during the play-off semifinal 1st round match between Zhejiang Lions and Liaoning Flying Leopards at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)