DOHA (Qatar) - Al Arabi SC stayed alive in the 2025-26 FIBA WASL-Gulf League after dealing Shabab Al Ahli a massive 103-79 beatdown at the Al Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils erupted for 33 points in the second chapter for a 57-42 lead at the half, setting the tone for the rout toward redeeming themselves after losing their Qualification to Semi-Finals opener last week.
It could be recalled that the Qatari Basketball League side suffered a 107-88 rout in Dubai as they fell victim to their UAE counterparts' 17 threes, but made sure that no repeat - and no sweep - would take place.
By doubling down on defense this time, the crew limited Shabab Al Ahli to a measly 6-of-26 shooting from deep while they knocked down a total of 12 in a total reversal of what transpired in their previous meeting.
As a result, the series now heads back to the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall for the all-important Game 3 next Tuesday, with the winner arranging a best-of-3 showdown with Al Ula Club in the Semi-Finals.
"There were a few technical details that the coaches were working on, and so we tried to minimize the efforts of their players from taking the three-point shot," offered head coach Hatem Mamlouk.
A total of six players finished in double figures for Al Arabi, with Ousmane Dieng leading the way with a season-high 22 points, spiked by a pair of outside shots, alongside 6 rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.
Mosti Rashed found his touch again and finished with 18 points, 13 of which he produced in the first half. The spitfire point guard also collected 7 rebounds and 8 assists, plus half of the team's 8 steals.
'Mosti' was key in their second-quarter breakaway, helping put together a 13-0 assault toward a 54-34 lead with 2:31 remaining which proved to be the beginning of a one-sided affair in the home team's favor.
Veteran big man Elmedin Kikanovic and Khaled Abdelbaset supplied 15 points apiece, with Abdulrahman Saad coming through with 13 points and 7 rebounds as he was also crucial in the aforementioned surge.
Dee Bost flirted with a triple-double after tallying 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists and went on to earn Capelli Sport Player of the Game honors for Al Arabi, who even led by as many as 29 at one point in the conquest.
"We knew we had to come out and play hard on our homecourt. We weren't trying to get swept. We just wanted to come out and fight," said Bost. "We just gotta go to the next game with the same energy."
Deshawndre Washington, on the other hand, led Shabab Al Ahli with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists in the loss that spoiled the return of Qais Alshabebi, as well as the debut of new acquisition Djordje Gadic.
Bryon Allen was his lone support with 24 points but left the game with 7:07 left after suffering an apparent right ankle injury while attempting to drive hard into the rim.
FIBA