KUWAIT CITY, April 23: Kazma clinched a spot in the final round of the West Asian Basketball Championship after a hard-fought victory over Muharraq of Bahrain, with a final score of 93-83 in the match determining the third and fourth places in the Gulf region. The showdown unfolded at the Al-Ittihad Hall in the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Hall Complex.
Having secured their place in the final round, Kazma will join Kuwait Club and Manama of Bahrain, who had previously qualified by advancing to the final. The Gulf representatives will be joined by three clubs from the Levant region, along with the champions from India and Kazakhstan, for the group stage scheduled for next June. Kazma’s stellar performance also earned them a prize of $50,000.
Despite an initial lead by Kazma at 12-6, Muharraq turned the tide in their favor with standout performances from players like Badr Closing and Nader Ali, ending the first quarter ahead at 22-16.
Muharraq maintained control throughout the second quarter, utilizing strong defensive strategies to stifle Kazma’s plays and limit three-point attempts. The American trio of Brandon, Adrian, and Taylor spearheaded Muharraq’s offense, extending their lead to 12 points by the end of the quarter, with a scoreline of 48-36.
A spirited comeback from Kazma in the third quarter, following adjustments by Slovenian coach Bojan Lazic, saw the score tied at 67-67 courtesy of a three-pointer from American player Leslie. However, Muharraq managed to edge ahead, finishing the quarter with a 74-70 lead.
In the final quarter, Kazma seized control with outstanding performances from Ahmed Al-Balushi, Abdulaziz Al-Hamidi, and Youssef Bourahma, supported by Leslie and Chapman. Muharraq’s performance waned due to fitness issues among several players, allowing Kazma to secure a well-deserved 93-83 victory.
Hassan Musa
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff