JEDDAH, 30 March 2008 — Al-Ittihad dominated taking over Group A with two consecutive wins by defeating Qadisia 101-64 in the Saudi Basketball Federation (SBF) Club Championship Playoffs on Friday night.
Qadisia kept Ittihad at bay in the first quarter 26-22. At halftime, it was all Ittihad leading by 24 points 53-29. At the end of three quarters Ittihad enjoyed a 74-43 lead. Qadisia with only three players that scored in double figures were outmatched.
Qadisia’s Akheem Wright hit 24, and Nick Shepard 20, with Adle Yamed adding 11. Ittihad’s Jay Ward had 24, Mahmood Abdul Rauf 22 points, Ali Magrabi 13, and Marvin Stone 12. The bench players chipped in with 30 points.
Game 2 pitted Ansar against Hilal in a low-scoring game with tight defense. After one quarter, the score was Ansar 14 Hilal 13. At halftime Hilal took the edge 36-29.
After three periods Hilal had tallied 51 points to 49 for Ansar. In the last three minutes the score want back and forth with two lead changes, and three ties, with Hilal winning by four 68-64. Hilal’s imports Ismail Mohammad had 22, Arthur Davis 18, and Priest Lauderdale 12. For Ansar imports Suliman Aw had 20, Jonathan Jones 19 and Babaka Camera 13.
Ahli played Fath in another tight game that went back and forth with lead changes and ties. Ahli edged out Fath 81-79 after the 40-minute contest. Fath’s Jermain Lewis was giving Ahli a hard time and Ahli’s Osman Obaid played good defense against him in the last half. The first stage will end on today when the two top teams from each group will advance to the next round.
