Algeria stayed undefeated, Tunisia handed defending champions Egypt their second straight loss, and Qatar claimed their first victory last night in the 26th Arab Men’s Basketball Championship, currently being hosted by the kingdom.
The Algerians outplayed winless Kuwait 86-74, while the Tunisians used a decisive 11-1 run to end their game against their Egyptian counterparts in an 85-73 win. The Qataris, meanwhile, edged past the UAE 78-71.
All three games were played at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town. Hosts Bahrain were not in action.
Today is a rest day and the final two evenings of action are scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday at the same venue. All are welcome to attend the games. Entry to fans is free of charge.
In Algeria’s victory, they turned a slim 38-41 deficit at the break to a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter with a strong second-half performance. They outscored their opponents 48-33 in the last two periods, helping them claim their fourth triumph in as many games.
Bensalah Mohammed scored 15 points off the bench while Sedoud Chakib added 14 for Algeria, who also got 12 points from skipper Briki Sofiane. Abdulaziz Alhamidi had 22 to pace the Kuwaitis, while Ahmed Albaloushi added 13 in the losing effort.
The Algerians stayed second on the standings with two games remaining in the seven-nation tournament, which is being played in league format. The Kuwaitis, who suffered their fourth defeat, stayed in last place.
In Tunisia’s win against Egypt, the two African powerhouses battled until late in the final frame, when the victors pulled away for their double-digit win.
Tunisia were marginally in front 64-60 after three quarters. In the fourth, after Egypt got back to within one possession, 72-74, with four minutes left on the clock, the Tunisians replied with 11 unanswered points – capped by a Jawhar Jawadi three-pointer with just 36 seconds to play, icing the game. Egypt’s Mohamed Taha had a split from the charity stripe to peg the final score.
Jawadi finished as Tunisia’s leading scorer with 21 points, while Mohamed Ochi added 13 and Bilel Jaziri had 12. Ahmed Moheb scored 20 for Egypt, while Mazen Mohamed chipped in with 16.
The Tunisians won for the fourth time in five games while the Egyptians suffered their second loss in four outings.
Elsewhere yesterday, Qatar stunned their Emirati rivals after taking control of their clash in the second quarter. The UAE got to within two points, 69-71, with two-and-a-half minutes to play, but Abdulla Moosa responded with a three-pointer and the Emiratis got no closer than four from there.
Djan Janik was a force for the Qataris with 33 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Moosa finished with 17. Demarco Dickerson scored 28 for the UAE, while Qais Al Shabibi had 16.
Qatar finally got onto the wins column after three straight defeats, while the Emiratis lost for the third straight time after starting the tournament with back-to-back victories.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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