ZHUJI, China - Rookie Zhang Zhenlin made 23 points to help the Liaoning Flying Leopards trounce the Shanghai Sharks 117-95 in the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Sunday.

From a 17-3 opening run, Liaoning led 29-18 in the first quarter. After Jimmer Fredette buried his 3-pointer to cut the deficit to single digit, Zhang scored his shot beyond the arc and made a slam dunk to enable Liaoning lead 57-44 into the second half.

Liaoning even enlarged its advantage to 21 points in the third period, and Shanghai was in vain to turn over the tide despite its 9-0 scoring run in the last quarter.

However, Liaoning head coach Yang Ming was not satisfied with his young players. "Our starters have provided a very comfortable stage for the young players, but they failed to show their value on the court. Without efforts, they will never grow up," Yang said.