Ex-NBA player Wang Zhizhi scored 51 points and 13 rebounds to
lead the Bayi Rockets to a 108-103 win over the Yunnan Bulls, its
first victory in the new China Basketball Association league
season.
Former CBA MVP Wang got into his groove right from the start of
the game, scoring 20 points and leading Bayi 56-47 before the
break.
Home side Yunnan, spearheaded by captain Yu Junkai and American
import Ken Johnson, fought back in the second half and tied the
score 94-all at full time.
A three-pointer from Zhang Jinsong pushed Bayi to an early lead
in the overtime, then Wang Zhizhi snatched more eight points to
seal the victory for Bayi.
Johnson chalked up 25 points and 17 rebounds for Yunnan, while
Yu added 19 points.
In the other second round matches, Guangdong beat Zhejiang
96-81, Jilin defeated Beijing 99-74, Liaoning smashed Shanxi
110-94, Shaannxi lost to Shandong 86-75, and Xinjiang was defeated
by Jiangsu 123-94.
(CRI October 12, 2006)
