JEDDAH, 5 April 2008 — Al-Hilal took the headstart in the best-of-three finals against Ohud, winning by 88-83 last night in the Saudi Basketball Federation Elite Eight Playoffs at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
Ohud jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the fist quarter and had Hilal playing catch up. Hilal got started with three minutes left in the period and got back in the game. The quarter ended Ohud 23 Hilal 22. Hilal took charge in the second quarter. They passed the ball to Priest Lauderdale and Ishmail Muhammad and Hilal sat on a 45-37 at the turn.
Hilal maintained the lead throughout the third period with Ohud closing the gap 62 -60. Ohud, however, came out aggressively in the fourth period to take control.
Abdul Mohsen tied the game with a three. The teams traded baskets for the next four minutes. Then Lauderdale made some great passes and Hilal pulled away. Al-Ittihad defeated Fath 98-76 in the consolation game for third place. Ittihad started strong and at the end of the first quarter the score was 31-23 for Ittihad. Ittihad increased the lead to 52 to 40 in the second quarter.
