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29 January, 2017
02 February
29/01/2017
Game Report
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Favorites play true to form to open WABA Championship 2017

AMMAN (WABA Championship 2017) - Day One of the West Asia Basketball Association (WABA) Championship 2017 in Amman, Jordan opened with a ton of excitement and energy but when the dust settled, the favorites played true to form and notched separate victories.

Iran cruised to a 114-65 triumph over Palestine. Coach Mehran Hatami's stormed into a 22-9 advantage by the end of the first quarter and stretched the lead to 49-33 by half-time. They stamped their authority on the game in the third quarter, outscoring Palestine 33-13 and went on to claim an emphatic victory.

#غرب_آسيا #كرة_السلة #الأردن #WABA2017

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Mohammad Jamshidi had an incredible performance for Iran, pouring in a game-high 29 points. Jamshidi hit 7 of his 8 shots from long range and was 11 of 12 from the floor overall. Behnam Yakhchali also impressed for Iran, drilling 5 of 8 shots from the arc on his way to 21 points.

As for Palestine, they were paced by the 12 points of Tareq Tamimi. Ibrahim Habash and Ahmed Younis also scored in double-figures with 10 points apiece. Palestine sorely missed big man Sani Sakakini, and it showed in the stat-sheet as they were out-rebounded, 28-20.

In the day's second contest, Lebanon made quick work of upstarts Iraq, 86-46. Charles Tabet came through for the Lebanese with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while playmaker Wael Arakji also did well with 15 points on 5-of-6 field goal shooting. The returning Fadi El Khatib paced the Cedars with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 1 steal.

Lebanon led by double-digits at the end of the first period, 23-11, and they were never threatened till the final buzzer. Dhulfiqar Al-Hchaimi and Kevin Galloway paced Iraq with 13 and 12 points respectively.

Day One closed with hosts Jordan staving off a competitive Syria, 78-70. The Jordanians had a jittery start here, trailing coach Hadi Haj Darwish's team, 19-15, at the end of the first quarter before wresting control by half-time, 43-35. Syria would stay within striking distance the rest of the way, but the home team played composed to preserve the triumph.

Backcourt star Mahmoud Abdeen exploded for 25 points to lead coach Sam Daghlas's quintet. He hit 6 three-pointers on top of 8 assists, 3 rebounds and an eye-popping 6 steals. Big Mohammad Shaher Hussein also turned some heads with his 16-point, 11-rebound double-double even as Mousa Al-Awadi added 17 points. Micheal Madanly, on a comeback effort for Syria, scored 24 points to pace the losing side, which also drew 19 points from frontliner Yamen Haidar.

Day One victors Iran, Lebanon and Jordan take on different foes on Day Two, and they are favored to record back-to-back wins. Iran will be tested by Syria, Lebanon take on Palestine and Jordan play Iraq.


RESULTS:

Iran beat Palestine, 114-65

Lebanon beat Iraq, 86-46

Jordan beat Syria, 78-70


FIBA