DUBAI (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 GBA Pre-Qualifier) –  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has joined Bahrain as the two teams from the Gulf zone will compete at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers this September.

Earlier in the day, Bahrain comfortably beat Oman 78-66 to stay undefeated in the second round and topped the GBA Pre-Qualifier. Bahrain led 42-24 at the half and was especially strong on the defensive end, restricting Oman to just 7 points in the second quarter.

The teams traded buckets early, before Bahrain started running free in transition, with 17 fast break points. Bottom placed Oman had four players scoring in double digits but that wasn’t nearly enough against Bahrain which got a sizeable contribution from its bench (27 points) in addition to four of its own starters scoring 10+ points.

The final game of the second round between KSA and hosts UAE lived up to expectations. With Bahrain having topped the zone, the two teams were fighting for the second spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers.

The game saw 15 lead changes right until late in the third quarter before Saudi Arabia took the lead for good and held on till the final buzzer. While five Saudi Arabia players scored in double digits, point guard Marzouq Almuwallad particularly stood out with a +29 efficiency.

Statistically, there was little to separate the two sides, and it came down to Saudi Arabia’s more balanced attack that proved to be the difference between the two teams. Saudi  Arabia managed to knock down some crucial threes especially in the fourth quarter, while UAE preferred driving repeatedly to the hole. In the end it was Saudi Arabia’s night but only just. 

RESULTS:

Bahrain beat Oman, 78-66

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) beat UAE, 88-85

FIBA