JEDDAH, 14 May 2007 — The Kingdom’s Al-Ittihad rolled to their second straight victory against Al-Hela of Iraq 85-70 as the preliminary round action continued yesterday in the ART sponsored Arab Basketball Confederation Championship at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium here.

Led by Tony Madison who scored 25 points and had 7 assists Ittihad were in control all evening. Priest Lauderdale added 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Ittihad.

Iraq’s Franj Rashin made 18 points and 11 rebounds.

In yesterday’s first game, title holders Al-Riadi from Lebanon offered a hint of their keenness to retain the championship in a 102-75 rout of Boufrik from Algeria.

In first half action, Algeria stayed close. They were down by 7 after the first quarter and 12 at halftime. Lebanon had 50 Algeria had 38 at the break. After the half Lebanon pulled out their guns and started firing Lebanon and had five players in double figures. The defending champions also hit 17 three-point shots in the game. Ismail Ahmad was high man with 23 points for Riadi, who also received 22 points including 6 three-pointers from Omar El Turk. Algeria’s Fram Hussain had 17 and Hana Walid 16 points. Both teams were close in percentages. Lebanon had 21 turnovers and 22 for Algeria. The three-point shooting made the difference. Lebanon made 17 and Algeria only 8.

Al-Jazirah from Egypt destroyed Seeb from Oman 106-64 in the third game. Egypt started slowly and was down 19-12 at the end of the first period. By half time it was Egypt 48 Oman 37. The big men for Egypt went to the basket undefended. Egypt pulled away for the rest of the game. High man for Egypt was Wael Badr Al Sayeed with 28 while Rami Talat Genaidi added 17 points. For Oman Jon Ajak led the way with 22 points.

Kuwait from Kuwait edged out Raja’a from Morocco 81-79 in the last game on Saturday. At the end of the first quarter Morocco had the lead 23 –17. At half time it was Morocco 41 and Kuwait 38. Kuwait took the lead by one 59-58 to end the third period. It was a real battle to the end with Kuwait winning by two.

The high scorers for Kuwait were Willmeed Madija and Brandon Crump, each with 20 points. Abdullah Aserifi contributed 17 Shamgod 16.

Morocco’s high scorers were Aumsa Adanan and Ahallan Esham, who each scored 12 points. Kalifa Mustifaha, Fenjawi Murant and Dudi Tieam each scored 11 points.

Meantime, Al-Hela from Iraq defeated Seeb 87-60 in the last game Friday night.

The Iraqis started strong and stayed strong. Iraq led the Omani side 20-16. By halftime it was 48-29 for Iraq who went unchallenged in the paint. Both teams shot 51% for the game.

Iraq made 31 baskets and Oman only 19. Frani Rashin had 31 points, and Dejoge Boslofa 23 for Iraq. Oman’s high men were William Oshik and Jon Ajak with 14 points each.