Star centre Wang Zhizhi(R) of Bayishuanglu drives to the basket pass Tuke of Shandong Huangjin.[Xinhua]

Bayi Shuanglu retreated from the court in the middle of the third quarter when Shandong's home fans started throwing water bottles and lighters onto the court to protest against the referee.

The score was 74-59 for the visitors, with the home side trailing 15 points behind Bayi.

The problem was resolved five minutes later, and Bayi returned to warm applause from the fans.

Bayi went on to win 116-105. Star center Wang Zhizhi scored 43 points and 21 rebounds.

The two teams now stand seventh and eighth in the 16-team domestic league.

The Fujian-Shaanxi clash was dubbed the PK, or play-kill, between the two team's university stars, Yang Chao and Liu Jiulong. Both players domenstrated their strength in the professional league. Yang scored 19 points and five rebounds, while Liu had 18 points and six rebounds.

However, Liu was involved in a short melee with Fujian's international players with only seven minutes remaining. He was awarded penalties to help his Shaanxi team to trim the gap down to four points.

Fujian managed to pace itself and extended its lead again to win 95-88.

Also on Wednesday, the Jiangsu Dragons held on to second place in the league after beating the Zhejiang Cyclones 102-94 for a record of nine wins and two losses, their best opening.

Luo Zhi buried nine out of 15 three-pointers to score 33 points for the Cyclones, but it was not enough for the away team to stay in fourth place.

The Cyclones dropped to sixth place with a 7-4 record.

The Shanghai Sharks produced the biggest surprise of the new season with an 8-3 record.

The Sharks, Yao Ming's former team, has had its best start this season since Yao left for the Houston Rockets in 2002, defeating the Jilin Northeast Tigers 120-117. Liu Wei and Jermaine Dearman contributed 31 and 30 points each.

Shanxi Zhongyu became the last team to win this round, edging Yunnan Honghe 101-98.

Zhongyu, who was based in Henan province last season, avoided the bottom of the standings, sharing a 1-10 record with Honghe.

The Liaoning Hunters lost to Zhejiang Guangsha 95-85 on Tuesday, but stayed in third place with an 8-3 record.

In other matches on Wednesday, Dongguan New Century beat Xinjiang Guanghui 120-115.

Competitions will be adjourned to give the national team time preparing for the December Doha Asian Games. The next phase will start on December 22nd.