Beijing's no-loss homecourt record was shattered during the
18th round of the domestic CBA league match. Visiting Xinjiang
breached Beijing's strong defense with a 102-89 victory.
Beijing's star center Mengke Bateer was kept off the court as he
had received a one-game ban for his misbehavior during last
game.
The win has put the visitors second in the Northern Conference
with 11 wins and six losses.
Beijing, despite the loss, still lead the rankings with
14-3.
Jiangsu, meanwhile, seem to be riding a roller-coaster, as they
dropped from a league record high 155 to only 75 in the 18th
round.
Jiangsu set up CBA record high 155 points this season during
their last round game against Dongguan Wednesday night. But they
took on Fujian and lost the game 108-75.
Fujian, with the latest win, has snapped a five-game losing
streak. Five players on the team have recorded double figures.
Defending champions Guangdong, meanwhile, extended their winning
streak to a record-tying 13 games.
Guangdong outshined arch rival the army team Bayi, a traditional
powerhouse in a marquee contest: 101-96 to put a full mark to the
year of 2005.
(CRI English December 31, 2005)