The visiting Bayi Rockets earned a hard-fought victory over Shanghai Sharks 120-118 on Sunday, extending their winning streak to 12 matches in the Chinese Basketball Association league.

Wang Zhizhi clinched a game-high 43 points and 10 rebounds for Bayi. Li Nan and Mo Ke also contributed 26 points each to ensure the narrow victory that avenged their home loss to rival team Shanghai earlier in the season.

Liu Wei drained two opening points for the home side at the start of the match, but Wang Zhizhi soon narrowed the gap to one point before the end of the first quarter. Shanghai successfully defended their lead leading 34-31 at the first quarter

Bayi came back in the second and took the lead with nine points from Wang Zhizhi. Shanghai rallied and recaptured the lead going in to halftime at 56-55.

The score was level at 85 all going into the last quarter. After both sides traded attacks, the game went into extra time with a score of 109 all.

Mo Ke hit the last two points in closing time, helping Bayi win the hard-fought battle when Shanghai failed to shoot an equalizer.

In other games nationwide, Guangdong nailed Fujian 96-75, while Liaoning narrowly beat Jiangsu 115-114.

Guangzhou stands atop of the standings with 16 wins and three losses, while Jiangsu and Bayi are second and third.

(CRI January 9, 2007)