WCBA roundup: Dongguan defeat Bayi in rematch of last season's finals

BEIJING - Seven teams had their second win into the new season, as defending champions Dongguan notched an 81-68 away win over five-time league winners Bayi in the second round of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) on Tuesday.

Huang Sijing had a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds for the visitors, while Shen Yi contributed 18 points. Pan Zhenqi and Li Meng scored 18 points apiece for Bayi.

The rematch of last season's finals was intense in the first half, with Dongguan maintaining a slender one-point advantage at 42-41. Huang then raised her game, inspiring the defending champions to a 24-11 lead in the third quarter from which they would never look back.

Last season's semifinalists Jiangsu were stunned by Shanxi 94-88 in overtime. Wu Tongtong scored seven in Shanxi's 13-7 OT performance, while Elizabeth Cambage contributed the other six points, adding to her 35 points plus 10 rebounds. Tina Charles, despite a game-high 40 points, could not help Jiangsu grab the victory.

Beijing, the other semifinalists, was victorious on Tuesday, beating Shanghai 87-70 with Teaira McCowan dominating the paint with 31 points and 19 rebounds.

Elsewhere, newcomers Inner Mongolia did not have to wait long for their first victory, as they frustrated Tianjin 92-76 thanks to a dominating performance by Natasha Howard, who had a double-double of 36 points and 16 rebounds.

In other matches on Tuesday, Shandong beat Zhejiang 85-62, Sichuan breezed past Shaanxi 80-63, Hebei routed Daqing 84-62, Xinjiang defeated Fujian 77-63 and Wuhan smashed Henan 83-57.