JOR / KUW - Rasheim shows the 'Wright' way for Jordan

KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup): Rasheim Wright's tournament-high 41 points led the way as Jordan put paid to hosts Kuwaiti ambitions with a clinical 87-69 win to annex the second FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup on Monday.

The win, which completed a 4-0 run for Jordan in the five-team tournament, also booked them an automatic place in next year's FIBA Asia Championship.

Wright began the scoring for the game with a crisp three-pointer and that began Jordan's rampage.

The 27-year-old guard, of American descent, added another to close the first quarter. In all, Wright scored 15 points in the first ten minutes that put Jordan in firm control.

Mousa Alawadi came off the bench to score all his 10 points and Zaid Abbas added as many points and Jordan left Kuwait gasping for breath going into the changing rooms 43-33 ahead.

Abbas finished with 21 points.

Abdullah Alsarraf attempted to stem the rot with a couple of long rangers, bringing Kuwait 52-55 close, with 3:30 left in the third quarter.

Kuwait kept themselves in the race keeping the deficit to 57-64 going into the final ten minutes.

But in the opening minutes of the final quarter, Jordan came back in full force to take the wind off Kuwait's sails.

Jordan captain Zaid Alkhas stood rock-like in defense as Wright sunk a three-pointer and Abbas' swift drove in the lane to cap a 10-0 run.

Abdulaziz Mohammad tipped a ball in to break Kuwait's barren run, but that spree preceded by their overall dominance saw Jordan through.

"This team has been on the move for the last two years. And this victory is only the next logical step in our progression," Jordan coach Mario Palma said.

"Our target is reaching the 2010 FIBA World Championship. I think we are moving well in that direction," the Portuguese added.

"I think we played better basketball overall. Rasheim's return from injury has been a boost. We still have three more players in the injured list. Once they are back, we will focus more on our preparations," Palma said.

Commenting on the final, Palma said, "Kuwait are a dangerous team."

"We didn't want to give them any chance right from the beginning. Look at the way they fought back in the third quarter. I'm happy we held on," he said.

Scores

Jordan 87 (Rasheim Wright 41, Zaid Abbas 21, Mousa Alawadi 10) bt Kuwait 67 (Abdullah Alsarraf 16, Ahmad Albrahim 13, Ahmad Almutairi 13). Quarterwise Scores: 23-12, 43-33, 64-57.

FINAL RANKINGS
1.Jordan
2.Kazakhstan
3.Kuwait
4.Qatar
5.India

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia