Controversial refereeing decisions upstage in CBA match

BEIJING - Qingdao Doublestar players refused to play and went back to the locker room in protest of the referees' controversial decisions, resulting in over-10-minute halt of game, as they were handed the fourth straight loss by Bayi Fubang 99-90 in Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League on Wednesday.

Qingdao players and coaches leave the court and go back to the locker room in protest of the referees' controversial decisions during their CBA League game against Bayi Fubang in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Jan 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Qingdao trailed by 90-93 with one minute and seven seconds remaining before the final whistle. Liu Shunan of Bayi made a layup after the 24-second alarm rang and missed it, but the referee didn't hand 24-second violation to Bayi.

Bayi's star center Wang Zhizhi pulled down the rebound and assisted Liu to bury a 3-pointer, helping Bayi extend the lead to six points.

Qingdao missed a 3-point shooting, and had to foul on Bayi players with 28 seconds left.

A Qingdao team staff walked towards the technique officials' desk and strongly protested before all Qingdao players and coaches walked straight back to the locker room.

While Qingdao players returned to the court after more than 10 minutes, they just stood on the court waiting for the final seconds to end. And Bayi sealed the victory 99-90.

Qingdao coach Zhang Shizhang and player Xue Yuyang attended the press conference after the game, but refused to comment on the "chaos" on court.

Tracy McGrady, center, of Qingdao Doublestar Eagles talks to a referee during their CBA League game against Bayi Fubang in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Jan 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Former NBA all-star Tracy McGrady didn't start for Qingdao, as he finished with 23 points, six rebounds and six assists. Bayi's Wang Zhizhi contributed 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Elsewhere, Guangdong Hongyuan handed Zhejiang Guangsha its first home loss 91-85, with Yi Jianlian finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds.

On Tuesday, Stephon Marbury grabbed 35 points and seven assists to help defending champions Beijing Ducks crush over Liaoning Hengye 124-105.

In other matches, Shandong Gold held off Shanghai Sharks 102-80, Jilin Northeast Tigers beat Tianjin Ronggang 115-101, Jiangsu Dragons downed Dongguan Marco Polo 126-119 through overtime, Shanxi Zhongyu edged Fujan SBS 106-105 and Xinjiang Guanghui beat Foshan Long Lions 108-101.

Qingdao's CBA performance:

McGrady tastes first win in CBA

T-mac's Qingdao tastes second victory in last 2012 match

McGrady's CBA coach dismissed after first two rounds

McGrady tastes two straight defeats in CBA