Georgetown makes up with Chinese team after bench-clearing brawl

Members of the Georgetown basketball team and a Chinese professional team met Friday, one day after their game ended prematurely with a bench-clearing brawl.

The Hoyas were at the airport preparing to leave Beijing for Shanghai when coach John Thompson III and two players met with representatives of China's Bayi Rockets.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minsiter Cui Tiankai confirmed the visit and the sides exchanged souvenirs.

"My understanding is that it's all cleared up," Cui told reporters at a briefing on Vice President Joe Biden's ongoing visit to China. "We're pleased about this outcome."

The two teams were expected to play again Sunday as part of Georgetown's 10-day goodwill trip to the country that has been cited by the U.S. State Department as an example of sports diplomacy that strengthens ties between the two countries' peoples.

However, the school it will be playing the Liaoning Dinosaurs as part of a schedule change that was made before the brawl.

The game Thursday was stopped in the fourth quarter after rough play evolved into an ugly scene with the players fighting and chairs and water bottles being thrown.

After the game, Thompson issued the following statement:

"Tonight, two great teams played a very competitive game that unfortunately ended after heated exchanges with both teams. We sincerely regret that this situation occurred.

"We remain grateful for the opportunity our student-athletes are having to engage in a sport they love here in China, while strengthening their understanding of a nation we respect and admire at Georgetown University."

Contributing: The Associated Press

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