JEDDAH, 11 February 2006 — Al-Ittihad brought down Ohod 80-78 in a battle of heavyweights last night in the Saudi Basketball League at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium here.
Steve Howard, a 6-foot-9 American center, shot 37 points including the insurance basket in the game where Ohod had led by as may as nine points at the end of the first quarter 28-19. Ali Magrabi added 16 points for Jeddah’s Ittihad who stayed undefeated in nine games in the tournament.
Al-Ansar, who like Ohod come from the basketball-crazy city of Madinah, defeated Al-Ahli 59-48 in a low-scoring game earlier in the day.
Both teams missed many shots and had one turnover too many. Ansar, who lost to Ittihad on Thursday by 84-44, improved their record to 8-1 to be on second place behind Ittihad, while Ahli absorbed their second straight setback at the weekend for a 6-3 card.
Ittihad worked themselves back to the game after Ohod took control in the first two quarters. The score was tied 61-61 at the end of the third period.
The game hang in the balance up until the waning seconds. With 19 ticks left and the score at 78-78, Ohod had the ball but Nerian’s shot was blocked and Howard grabbed the rebound and was fouled.
After a timeout, point guard Shamgod inbounded the ball to Howard, who was left unmarked in the paint with two seconds left. Howard went straight up to the basket, the ball ripping the net with no time left.
Abdu Mohsen with 20 points and Nerian with 16 were the top scorers at Ohod.
The tournament continues with another weekend games at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.
