In their first game after the week-long Spring Festival, the Beijing Ducks upset host Liaoning Hunters 99-95 on Sunday, extending their unbeaten streak to five games.
Mengke Bateer netted a game-high 32 points and collected 16 rebounds. He made 3-of-4 three-pointers. Zhang Yunsong chipped in 18 points and Williams Nate poured in 10 points with 9 rebounds in the win.
The Liaoning Hunters had a 17-4 advantage on the offensive rebounds , but the entire game witnessed few fast breaks with a poor shooting percentage of the hosts. Bian Qiang topped Liaoning with 23 points. Butler Reggie ended in a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards for Liaoning, who has lost 15 of its last 25 games.
The Beijing Ducks were ahead 28-27 after the first quarter, 46-43 at half, and carried a 73-66 cushion after the third period.
In other games, southern division powerhouse Bayi beat Jiangsu 119-102, Dongguan Xinshiji downed Yunnan Bulls 133-123, Shanghai Sharks upset Zhejiang Cyclones 95-93, Guangdong Southern Tigers had a 104-72 romp over Fujian Xunxing, Shandong Lions beat Shaanxi Kylins 102-87 and Xinjiang Flying Tigers crushed Henan Dragons 123-94.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao February 6, 2006)
