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)