JEDDAH, 8 April 2007 — Jabber Al-Kabi scored 17 points as Al-Ittihad outclass Al-Hilal with a 121-71 verdict in the Al-Jawal-sponsored Saudi League Basketball playoff at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here. This was Hilal’s second loss in the playoffs.
Hilal had a slim lead in the early part of the first quarter but Ittihad turned the game in their favor taking a lead of four points by finishing quarter 27-23.
Taking over with good passing and great shooting, Ittihad went up 20 points by halftime 56-36. Ittihad finished the game with six players in double figures, and gave the starters some rest. The coach used all players and each of them scored a basket.
Priest Lauderdale had 16 points, followed by Adel Al-Johani, and Tony Madison, who scored 13 each, and Jabber Sharani, who had 11 points, made three 3-point shots in 60 seconds.
This was Ittihad’s biggest win over Hilal in the tournament. For Hilal, Steven Howard topscored with 21 points, Prentice McGurder had 13, and the young 16-year-old Hani Mohammed added 12.
The game of the night was between Al-Ansar and Al-Qadisiya. Qadisiya started fast and led Ansar after the first quarter, 18-13. The battle kept going with Ansar taking the lead at halftime 42-36. The third quarter belonged to Qadisiya, who rallied from the deficit to take a slim 62-60 lead.
But Ansar buckled down in the final quarter and their quick passes to big man Jules Camara turned the game around as they squeaked past their rivals 78-72. Camara topscored for Ansar with 28 points and 12 rebounds, Jihad Muhammad had 14 points and 10 assist, and Ahmed Essa had 10. For Qadisiya, James Terrance scored 23 points, followed by Adel Alyami 18, and Ahmed Semanter 12. Once again, coach Ali with his young team came close to an upset.
