JEDDAH, 26 March 2007 — Unbeaten Al-Ittihad secured their 36th title on Friday after beating visitors Ohud 81-58 at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium complex. This victory places them even with Madinah outfit Ohud in total number of championships titles — 36 each.
On way to their title, Ittihad outfought 17 rivals with one game remaining to play. Archfoe Al-Ansar are second in the rankings after losing two games. Ohud started their match on a high note taking five points lead in the first half against Ittihad, 33-28.
Point guard Calvin Cage had 17 points at half-time for Ohud. Cage dominated the court by hitting the three, penetrating and scoring baskets. But the third quarter told a different story. Tony Madison took control of the offense, and 10 minutes later Ittihad went up by 15 points. Ittihad finished the third period with 56-41.
Putting their best defenders one after another, Ittihad’s Jabber Kabi, Yaya Iberheim, and Jabber Sharhani outscored Ohud 28-8 in the third period. Tony Madison’s passing earned him 16 assists. Priest Lauderdale finished with 24 points and 10 blocked shots, Adel Al-Johani 13 points, Ali Mughrabi 12, and Jabber Kabi 12 for Ittihad. Calvin Cage finished with 24 for Ohud.
In the second game, Ansar outplayed Al-Ahli 83-80. Ahli took early advantage for a 27-21 lead in the first period. Intensifying their pressure, Ahli had 52 against Ansar’s 43 at half-time. Ansar started wearing Ahli down and by the end of three quarters were only down six points, 66-60. Fourth quarter brought some relief for Ansar as Jihad Muhammad scored 26 points, and 14 assists. He outpoints teammates center Jules Camara 18 and forward Hitem Hasouwi 17 points. Tightening the grip Ansar edged out Ahli 83-80 in the last minute of the game. Jared Bledsoe scored 23, and J R Patrick had 19, and Fawaz 18 for Ahli.
Meanwhile, the teams occupying the first three spots for the playoffs for another event are Ittihad, Ansar, and Ahli. Slots four, five and six will be determined after next week’s games. Ohud and Al-Hilal will be in the top six, and either Al-Wehda or Al-Qadisiya will be the sixth team in.
