BAGHDAD (Iraq) - Al-Ittihad Ahli kept Al Naft winless, 74-62, to clinch a spot in the next round of the FIBA WASL-West Asia League on Wednesday night at the Al Shaeb Hall.

The visiting side from Syria began to take control of the game in the second period before breaking it wide open in the final chapter on the way to ending a two-game slide.

They remained third in Group A with an even 2-2 record after taking down the Iraqi crew, who is now in danger of missing the playoffs after absorbing their fourth loss in as many games.

Game heroes: Jamil Saddir played his best game of Season 2 thus far as he finished with 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field alongside 10 rebounds for 29 EFF.

Mohammad Bilal Atli was in his element once more as the versatile forward registered 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a pair of blocks in nearly 38 minutes.

Ken Brown tallied a 14-8-4 stat line as the three starters showed the way for Al-Ittihad Ahli, now the first Syrian team to advance into the FIBA WASL-West Asia Final Phase.

STEP AHEAD Player of the Game: Atli deservingly earned STEP AHEAD Player of the Game honors for his role in the crucial win, which saw him score 11 of his points in the first half to help his crew build a decade's worth of lead entering the intermission.

Turning point: Al-Ittihad Ahli found themselves leading by only a point early in the second until Saddir and Atli sparked a 14-5 run to end the quarter in their favor, 33-23.

But the floodgates didn't open until the fourth, where they went on to lead by as much as 17 points, 60-43, following Brown's lay-up with under eight minutes left in the game.

Stats don't lie: Al Naft did lose once again but Ali Hameed served as one of the few bright spots in the defeat by setting a new record for the most blocks in a FIBA WASL game with 8.

The veteran workhorse, who played all 40 minutes, was two blocks clear of the previous mark set by Afrobasket legend Salah Mejri with Kazma back in the inaugural season.

They said: "It's a very good result. [It is a] historical qualification to the second round for the team. I'm very happy for the team, for the city of Aleppo, for Syria. My players did their job, they respected the game plan. We are happy." - Mohamed Ferjani, Head Coach, Al-ittihad Ahli

"Our goal was to qualify for the Second Round and we did it perfectly. Compared to last year where we lost all games, we improved one step forward. But we're not stopping here. We're looking forward to the semifinals. We're very proud to be the first Syrian team to qualify to the second round of WASL[-West Asia]." Anthouny Bakar, Al-Ittihad Ahli

"It's very difficult. I love to win. My club, we love to win. It's not something that we like to see but it's basketball. Sometimes in basketball, comes adversity. It's not over yet. We won't give up. We're gonna continue to fight until the final game. And hopefully, give ourselves an opportunity to go to the next round." - Antwaine Wiggins, Al Naft

FIBA