Witherspoon Dominates as Qingdao Laoshan Beer Edges Shanxi Fen Wine in Tight CBA Clash

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

In a high-stakes encounter during Round 35 of the CBA regular season, Qingdao Laoshan Beer managed to withstand a late surge from the home side to secure a narrow 100-97 victory over Shanxi Fen Wine on Monday, April 6, 2026. The contest, played in front of a partisan crowd in Shanxi, was defined by the offensive brilliance of Quindari Witherspoon and a disciplined interior presence that allowed the visiting team to maintain their lead in the closing moments.

The victory is particularly significant for Qingdao, as they continue to disrupt the historical dominance Shanxi has held in this matchup. Even as the all-time record favors the home team—with Shanxi holding 25 wins to Qingdao’s 16 across 41 meetings—the current season tells a different story. With this result, Qingdao has swept the season series, moving to 2-0 against Shanxi for the 2025-2026 campaign.

The Witherspoon Engine

The story of the game was undoubtedly Quindari Witherspoon. The American forward acted as the offensive catalyst for Qingdao, finishing the night with a game-high 35 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Witherspoon set the tone from the opening tip, scoring the first points of the game with a layup and remaining the primary option whenever the offense stalled.

His performance was a slight uptick from his season average of 22.8 points per game, proving his ability to elevate his play in hostile road environments. Beyond the scoring, his ability to facilitate the offense—evidenced by his 6 assists—prevented Shanxi from simply doubling him to shut down the perimeter.

For those following the CBA from abroad, a performance of this magnitude—leading the team in scoring while contributing significantly in rebounds and assists—is often the difference between a road win and a narrow loss in the league’s highly volatile regular season.

Game Flow: A Tale of Four Quarters

The game began with Qingdao asserting early dominance. After Witherspoon’s opening layup, Shanxi attempted to respond through Yumiti Sedak, who hit a three-pointer to briefly take the lead. However, Qingdao’s efficiency in the paint and a string of successful three-pointers allowed them to build a comfortable 30-21 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Kyle Guy ignited the Shanxi offense, scoring consecutive baskets in the paint to erase the deficit. The home crowd rallied as Ge Zhaobao hit a jump shot to give Shanxi their first lead of the game. The period became a back-and-forth struggle, with the lead changing hands multiple times. A crucial three-pointer from Joseph Yang helped Qingdao regain control, and they entered the locker room at halftime with a precarious one-point lead, 51-50.

The third quarter was where Qingdao established the cushion they would eventually necessitate. Although Ibrahima Faye scored a layup to put Shanxi back on top early in the period, Witherspoon responded immediately with two made free throws. The momentum swung decisively toward the visitors when Lv Junhu hit a three-pointer, followed by two more consecutive triples from Witherspoon. Despite efforts from Kyle Guy at the free-throw line and follow-up baskets from Hamidou Diallo, Qingdao ended the third quarter with an 82-73 advantage.

The final frame was a defensive grind. Shanxi fought to close the gap, but Qingdao’s ability to find high-percentage looks in the paint during the closing minutes ensured the 100-97 final score.

Interior Strength and Double-Double Impact

While Witherspoon provided the fireworks, the foundation of Qingdao’s win was built in the paint. The team benefited from two critical double-doubles that neutralized Shanxi’s interior presence.

Lv Junhu was instrumental, contributing 19 points and 10 rebounds along with 4 assists. His ability to stretch the floor with three-pointers while remaining a force on the boards provided the tactical flexibility Qingdao needed. Similarly, Jordan Mickey provided a massive physical presence, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds to go along with 3 assists. Mickey’s impact was felt not just in the box score, but in his ability to create space for the guards.

Wang Ruize also played a steady supporting role, adding 14 points and 3 assists, while Duan Angjun and Joseph Yang provided necessary sparks off the bench with 7 and 5 points, respectively.

Shanxi’s Valiant Effort

Shanxi Fen Wine did not go quietly. Kyle Guy was a powerhouse for the home side, pouring in 30 points, though he struggled to find impact beyond scoring, finishing with just one rebound and one assist. Hamidou Diallo provided the most balanced attack for Shanxi, recording 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The supporting cast for Shanxi showed flashes of brilliance: Yumiti Sedak contributed 11 points, while Ibrahima Faye and Marco Knight each chipped in 9 points. However, the team struggled to maintain consistency across all four quarters, particularly in the third, where a scoring drought allowed Qingdao to pull away.

Statistical Breakdown: Qingdao vs. Shanxi

The following table summarizes the top performers from both squads:

Analysis: Why Qingdao Prevailed

The difference in this game was the distribution of scoring. While Shanxi relied heavily on Kyle Guy for 31% of their total points, Qingdao had four players score in double figures. This depth made them harder to defend and allowed them to weather the storms when Shanxi went on scoring runs.

the ability of Lv Junhu and Jordan Mickey to control the glass proved decisive. In a game decided by only three points, the possession advantage gained through offensive rebounds and defensive stops in the paint prevented Shanxi from completing their comeback in the fourth quarter.

From a tactical perspective, the 2025-2026 season has seen Qingdao evolve its approach against Shanxi. By utilizing Witherspoon as a primary creator and leveraging their size in the frontcourt, they have successfully neutralized the historical advantages Shanxi once enjoyed at home.

What’s Next

Both teams will seem to carry the momentum—or shake off the disappointment—of this Round 35 clash as they move deeper into the regular season. For Qingdao, the road win provides a significant boost in confidence and standings. For Shanxi, the focus will likely shift to improving their defensive rotations to prevent the kind of third-quarter collapse witnessed in this matchup.

Fans can follow official league updates and upcoming schedules via the CBA’s official communication channels to see when these two rivals will next meet.

Do you think Witherspoon is currently the most impactful import player in the CBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.