Mengke Bateer scored 25 points and 14 rebounds in his first game
after returning to the Chinese Basketball Association, leading
Beijing to a 108-87 victory over Shandong.
Visiting Shandong intended to take command with a swift offense
and led 9-8 two minutes into the game. But morale remained high on
the home team, and Beijing came back to finish the first quarter on
top, 29-22.
Beijing stayed in the lead for the rest of the game, though
Shandong came back strong after the half.
With the win, Beijing ranks second in the north conference, six
points behind first-place Liaoning, while defeated Shandong remains
at the bottom.
In other match-ups, Jiangsu beat Fujian 115-97, Jilin edged out
Shaanxi 116-111, and Yunnan triumphed over Shanghai 112-92.
In the south conference, Jiangsu occupies the top spot, followed
by Guangdong and Bayi.
(CRI February 17, 2005)
