Liaoning Hengye edged Bayi Guangbo 79-64 on Thursday to regain the title of the Chinese Basketball Association women's league (WCBA) after a 3-1 win in the best-three-of-five finals of the 2008-09 season.

This was the third time for Liaoning to win the league, which began in 2002. They were crowned in 2006 and 2007 after beating Bayi but lost to Bayi last season.

Ma Zengyu scored 20 points and rebounded 10 for Liaoning, which led the third quarter 59-51 after a 11-0 run in the beginning of period.

"It's a team's victory. I am so glad," said Ma. "We really had the pressure before the game, but I forgot about it during the game."

Tangela Smith from the United States added 17 points and 9 rebounds and Chen Xiaoli had 13 for the winners.

Center Chen Nan scored a game-high 22 points and had 10 rebounds for Bayi, who took the title for five times from 2002 to 2005 and 2007. Zhang Xiaoni, who scored 30 points last night, got 15 points and seven rebounds.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 6, 2009)