JEDDAH, 10 February 2006 — Al-Ittihad scored one of the most lopsided victories in the Saudi Basketball League when they trounced Al-Ansar of Madinah 84-44 last night at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
Steve Howard and Ali Magrabi each made 20 points and Shamgod added 8 points and 11 assists as the hosts blew the visiting team on both ends of the court.
The match was so one-sided Ittihad coach had the luxury of pulling out his first five in the third quarter. They were then ahead by 40 points.
While the first game ended in a blowout, Ohod needed a three-point basket to beat Al-Ahli 77-74 in overtime in the nighcap.
The regulation play ended at 65-65.
Abdu Mohsen shot 30 points nine of them in the five-minute extra period to lead Ohod.
Bobby Madison came though with 29 points including 19 in the second half and Damon Farney contributed 23 points for Ahli.
Ittihad remain unbeaten in 8 games, Ansar and Ohod are tied at 7-1 and Ahli have a 6-2 record.
Ahli got off to a slow start and the first quarter ended 22-12 for Ohod. Mohsen made seven points in the quarter.
In the third quarter, Farney brought Ahli back into the game with great inside play scoring 10 points in the period.
Ahli’s Madison canned in eight points in the last five minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime. Mohsen took over in the overime and Ohod went on to score the victory.
Madison made the last three baskets for Ahli but his efforts went to naught.
Ittihad take on Ohod and Ahli face Ansar in today’s potentially explosive contests.
