FIBA ASIA Championship Cup 2011: Al Riyadi Beirut script a 78-73 win over Qatar’s Al Rayyan in O.T.
Ismail Abdel Moneim Ismail Ahmed spearheaded Al Riyadi Beirut with 24 points and 12 rebounds as the Lebanese side overcame Qatar’s Al Rayyan 78-73 in an overtime victory on Tuesday. This is Al Riyadi’s second high profile win in as many days in the tough Group B. They took down the two defending champions Mahram last night.
Riyadi coach Fouad Abouchakra said after the win, “Like yesterday (when Riyadi beat defending champions Mahram 76-73), my team played a lot together. They stood up for each other when chips were down, and I think that was the key to our win today.”
The first quarter remained was a close thing as both teams tried their best to dominate each other. The scores were tied at 10, midway through the quarter when Al Riyadi eventually left Al Rayyan behind with an 8-5 spurt in the ensuing minutes that pushed the score to 18-15 and this was the way, the quarter ended. Loren G Woods led Al Riyadi with 11 points in the first frame.
Trailing by three points going into the second quarter, Al Rayyan, the runners up from last year’s championship, set the court ablaze with a ferocious comeback. The Qatari squad outscored the Lebanese with an 18-8 surge and finished the first half leading Al Riyadi by 35-29.
Al Rayyan started the third quarter with a six point lead, but failed to stretch it as Al Riyadi remained within the striking distance. The Lebanese squad made quick possessions and cut the deficit down to just one (44-43), with more than four minutes to go in the third. However, Al Riyadi never managed to take the lead. Al Rayyan on the other hand, again finished the quarter on a strong note, this time with a 13-7 burst.
Al Riyadi hit the ground running in the fourth quarter and rattled Al Rayyan with a 20-9 spurt in the last. Al Riyadi continued to press and slashed the deficit down to just three (68-65) with 2:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rodrigue AKL eventually made the crucial two point shot in the last seconds for the Lebanese, which tied the scores 70-70 and pushed the game into overtime.
After trailing Al Rayyan for most parts of the game, Al Riyadi saved their best for the last. They outplayed Al Rayyan 8-3 in the extra time and registered an important win. Ismail Ahmed scored four points during the rally for Al Riyadi,
Besides Ahmad, Loren G Woods also contributed 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Al Riyadi. Targuy Alban Ngombo led Al Rayyan with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Chauncey Leslie chipped in with 15 points.
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