League leaders Jiangsu Dragons kept the unbeaten record by defeating Beijing Ducks 82-75 on Sunday of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

American Rein Kelly scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to give the Dragons the 14th victory of the season.

The Ducks lost two starters, point guard Zhang Yunsong and forward Chen Lei, due to illness and injury before the game, but fought hard for a possible fourth consecutive home win.

Forward Jiao Jian, who chipped in 30 points on Friday's 90-71 win over Shanghai Sharks, nailed down 29 points on Sunday afternoon for the home team.

"We didn't expect to win because of the loss of two starters, but we really came out and gave them a hard time here," said Beijing's head coach Min Lulei.

The Dragons took a 11-0 run open a lead by 26-15 in the first quarter before the Ducks caught up by trailing only two points at 41-39 with 10 seconds left of the first half.

Kelly extended the lead to double digits again at the second half, but the home team closed it to 76-71 with just over two minutes to go.

Tang Zhendong, who had 11 points and 13 rebounds, made a 3-point play to ensure the win for the Dragons.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2004)