JEDDAH, 27 May 2004 — The basketball team of Al-Ittihad Club yesterday won the 17th Arab Basketball Championship as it beat Egypt’s Al-Jazirah team (87-79) at the Youth Welfare Presidency Court. More than 5,000 spectators watched the game.
This is the first time Ittihad has won an Arab basketball title. Earlier it had won the Gulf championship four times and the Asian title once. Al-Jazirah posted a five points lead early, but Ittihad came back to post a 25-20 first quarter score, which Al-Jazirah cut to 29-28 briefly before Ittihad ended the half in its favor (42-41).
Ittihad posted a seven-point spread (58-51) but Al-Jazirah came level at (64-64) before leading (66-64). But Ittihad succeeded then racked up 11 unanswered points to seal the match at 87-79.
Prince Talal ibn Bandar, chairman of the Arab and Saudi Basketball Federations, presented the cup and gold medals to Ittihad players and silver medals to Al-Jazirah team. Ali Al-Maghrebi of Ittihad was adjudged best player.
