JEDDAH — Ittihad fought back from eight points down in the fourth quarter to beat Wehda 61-58 to claim the Prince Talal Bin Monsour Bin Abdulaziz Basketball Tournament crown here Sunday. Ittihad started well and had an eight-point lead at the end of the first period 22-14. By the half time Ittihad was leading 35-26. After the break Wehda tried to make inroads into the rival area, hit the threes, and made some foul shots to end the third quarter up 47-42. With only minutes left in the game, Wehda turned the ball over three times on 24 second violations as Ittihad took advantage and went ahead for the win. Ittihad's Yaya Ibrahim was the player of the night. Ittihad, the champion, won SR7,000, Wehda claimed SR5,000 for the second spot finish and Jeddah United bagged SR4,000 for finishing third. The teams were also awarded trophies and medals. In Sunday's opening game for the third spot Jeddah United dominated the Saudi Jr. National Team. It even led by 25 points at one time. After a KSA rally in the fourth quarter the Nationals cut the lead to lose by 11 points 69-58. Wehda had beaten Jeddah United 57-47 on Saturday to make the final. Wehda was able to hit the threes and got some offensive rebounds and hit their second shots. Jeddah United stayed within two or three points of Wehda, but struggled in the rebound department and hitting the outside shot. Jeddah United tied the game late in the fourth quarter but missed some important foul shots as Wehda pulled away. Ittihad had advanced beating the Saudi Jr. National Team 67-52 to book its place in the final. Ittihad had the height and was able to dominate in the paint. It also shot the ball well. During the half time of the final the Saudi wheelchair basketball team put on an exhibition game that everyone enjoyed. The Time Out Academy kids also put on a football dribbling show. Next was an inline skating stunts and tricks demonstration. The Basketball Referees Group did an outstanding job officiating the games. The community is looking forward to more events like this.
