Jiangsu's Tang Zhengdong drilled 29 points, 11 rebounds with 6
assists to lead the Dragons for a road win 109-104 over the Bayi
Rockets, who had their home-unbeaten streak halted.
Four Jiangsu players reached double-figures as Dixon Carlos
scored 27 points while Hu Xuefeng and Meng Da each added 11 points.
Jason Cruz gained 8 points with 5 rebounds off the bench in the
win.
Li Nan led Bayi with 33 points and 4 steals. Mo Ke donated a
double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Zhang Jinsong had 15
points and Li Ke added 13 for the Rockets.
Bayi started the game with a 7-0 run and Li Nan scored 13 points
to lead the Rockets taking a 25-23 advantage after the opening
quarter.
Zhang Cheng's three-pointer and Cruz's middle-ranged jumper
helped Jiangsu surpass by a 42-40 cushion. But the Rockets erupted
again for a 12-2 spurt, including 8 points from Li Nan, to end the
half moving Bayi to a 59-49 lead.
Tang Zhengdong played strongly inside in the third period as he
sank 10 points to retook the lead for Jiangsu at 70-69. Chen Ke's
three-pointer at the buzzer made the Rockets to an 81-80 deficit
going into the fourth.
In the tightly-contested final stanza, Bayi took the lead at
100-99 with 3 minutes on the clock. Tang Zhengdong was fouled, hit
the ensuing free throws and the two consecutive babyhooks to secure
the victory for the Dragons.
The rankings of the two teams didn't change after the game with
Bayi second and Jiangsu fourth in the South Division.
Also on Wednesday, Zhejiang beat Shanghai 103-90, Guangdong
downed Fujiang 117-77, Shaanxi outplayed Shandong 109-93, Yunnan
defeated Dongguan 127-109 and Xinjiang crushed Hennan for a 115-96
home win.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, January 5, 2006)