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)