Ji Zhe's retired jersey is hanging on Wukesong Stadium. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Beijing Ducks retired former captain Ji Zhe's No. 51 jersey.
BEIJING, Dec.10 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Ducks retired former captain Ji Zhe's jersey during the halftime of the team's 112-104 home win over Guangzhou Loong Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league here on Tuesday.
Since joining in 2007, Ji spent his entire CBA career in Beijing, winning three titles during the spell. He died of lung cancer last Thursday at the age of 33.
Ji's jersey is placed along with Beijing's triple championship flags under the roof of the Wukesong Arena.
Beijing went 26-15 ahead through constant ball movement, as different players contributed in scoring, while Andrew Nicholson and Keifer Sykes pocketed all points of the first quarter for the guests.
Guangzhou trimmed the advantage to six points early in the second period, but the hosts soon pulled away as Jeremy Lin and Chang Lin combined 10 straight points before establishing a 17-point lead into the halftime.
Guangzhou somewhat recovered from then, cutting the deficit to eight points following Chen Yingjun's four-point play, but never came closer afterward.
Ji Zhe's family and Beijing Ducks held a ceremony for the player, who passed away last Thursday. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Ekpe Udoh led Beijing's attack with 26 points. Jeremy Lin and Zhai Xiaochuan added 22 and 16 respectively.
"We did a great job in the first half and set the tone for the most part of the game. We played really well on both ends.
"The way we stepped on the second half was not a proper way. We were passive and turned the ball over. Our defense was not acceptable," admitted Beijing's head coach Yannis Christopoulos.
Nicholson finished a game-best 42 points for Guangzhou.
