The Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers on Sunday proved themselves a threat to all P.League+ teams after they broke the Formosa Dreamers’ record-tying 10-game winning streak.
Walking off court at Changhua County Stadium following a 94-89 triumph, the Lioneers now boast a six-game winning streak on the back of backcourt duo Oscar Kao and Michael Efevberha, and sit only half a game back from the second-placed New Taipei Kings.
Despite an embarrassing four consecutive losses at the start of the season amid injuries, the Lioneers started to turn things around on Dec. 10 with the return of captain Hsiao Shun-yi following an ankle injury and subsequently have defeated the five other teams in the league at least once in the past month.
Photo courtesy of the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers via CNA
In a post-game interview, Kao said that he was pleased to have won and thanked staunch Lioneers fans for making the trip to southern Taiwan to cheer them on, saying the win was the best possible result of that support.
“We were down for sure when we lost four straight games, but the wins against [Taipei] Fubon [Braves], Kings and Dreamers today boosted our confidence a lot,” said Kao, who racked up 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
The Windy City established an early lead on the back of Kao’s 15-point explosion in the opening quarter and held on to it throughout the rest of the game, extending the margin to 14 at one point.
There were a few times when the Dreamers narrowed the game to within one possession, but the Lioneers always had different players step up in the clutch, leading to the team staying ahead for more than 45 minutes.
A layup by Julian Boyd for the hosts took the game to 88-87 with 88 seconds left, but Efevberha scored at the other end, with Hsiao making four free throws.
Each team had four players with scores in the double figures. Boyd came off the bench and finished the game with a team-high 19 points, but was eclipsed by Efevberha’s 28 points.
Statistics show that Efevberha and Kao have formed the most threatening starting backcourt in the league during their winning stretch.
Hsinchu in 2022 nailed seven games in a row for a franchise record by centering around giant Sim Bhullar. The Lioneers have an opportunity to tie that record on Friday when they host the Kings at Hsinchu County Stadium. The Kings have lost five of their past six games and are on a four-game skid.
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