POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Devon Chism
BAHRAIN'S Al Ahli posted a come-from-behind 98-92 victory over Ohod of Saudi Arabia last night in the Fiba Asia Champions Cup 2019 Gulf Basketball Association (GBA) Qualifiers, being played at Khalifa Sports City arena in Isa Town. American professional Wayne Chism (206-PF-87, college: Tennessee) had a monster game to spearhead the home side. He made a pair of crucial baskets in the closing minute of the contest as well as two pressure-packed free-throws that pegged the final score. With the result, Ahli bounced back from a loss in their opening game and secured their first victory in Group 'A' of the tournament's preliminary round.
In yesterday's other fixtures, both UAE teams in action defeated their Qatari counterparts, as Shabab Al Ahli Dubai trounced Al Shamal 109-83 in Group 'B' and Sharjah edged past Al Arabi 86-82 in Group 'A'.
In Ahli's win, the Bahrainis needed to fight back from as many as 16 points down and close the game strong for the much-needed result. They faced a 68-75 deficit to begin the final quarter but then went on a 14-7 run, capped by a Chism three-point play to tie things at 82-all. Another three-point play by Chism then gave Ahli the lead for good at 85-82, setting the stage for the close finish. Chism finished with an impressive 40 points, 26 rebounds, five assists and five blocks. Fellow-import, American-Kiwi Marcel Jones (203-F-85, college: Oregon St.), chipped in with 24 markers and nine boards. Bahraini guard Hesham Sarhan added 10 for Ahli in the win. Musa Aleem had 37 points to pace Ohod, including seven three-pointers. Shane Rector added 33.
In Shabab Al Ahli Dubai's win, they used a strong second quarter to turn a slim 25-24 advantage to a 55-43 lead, and they never looked back. They enjoyed leads as big as 33 points the rest of the way. Kevin Murphy (197-G-90, college: Tenn Tech) top scored for Shabab with 30 points while also dishing out 12 assists, while Chris Johnson added 20 points to go with 13 rebounds. Both American professionals buried three three-pointers apiece. Qais Alshehabi added 23 markers in the win. Mohamed Harath (198-F-90) paced Shamal with 21 points and 14 boards. The game was the first of the championship for both sides.
In Sharjah's victory, a step-back three-pointer by US import Marvelle Harris put his team up 83-79 with just 32 seconds to go in the contest. The basket proved decisive, as Arabi could only fight back to within three points in the final seconds. Harris finished the game with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists; while countryman Tyler Wilkerson (203-F-88, college: Marshall) top scored for Sharjah with 30 points while taking down 11 boards. Arabi's American professional Kevin Galloway had a fine triple-double in the losing effort. He finished with 25 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists while playing all 40 minutes of the game. William Byrd (201-G/F-85, college: UAPB) Jr chipped in with 18 and 13, but their effort alone could not lift them against their opponents. Sharjah clinched their second successive game while Arabi lost their first after opening the tournament with a win. The preliminary round continues today with another three games on the cards. At 3pm, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai face off with Al Seeb of Oman. It will be followed at 5pm by Bahrain's Ahli battling Sharjah, and then at 7pm Bahrain's Manama take on Shamal.
Courtesy of: gdnonline.com
