KUWAIT CITY, Dec 7: Al-Qadsia experienced its first setback in the Kuwait Basketball League, succumbing narrowly to Al-Kuwait with a scoreline of 97-94. Simultaneously, Al-Qurain secured a convincing victory over Al-Tadamon, concluding with a score of 87-67.

Despite this defeat, Al-Qadsia maintained its position at the summit of the standings with 15 points, just one point ahead of Al-Kuwait, which has played one less match. Meanwhile, Al-Qurain climbed to fifth place with 10 points, and Al-Tadamon sits in ninth place with 8 points.

The tournament format dictates that the top four teams in the preliminary round will advance to the semi-finals, utilizing a "play-off" system consisting of three matches, with the winner securing qualification in two.

The clash between Al-Qadsia and Al-Kuwait showcased intense competition, with Al-Qadsia holding the advantage for the majority of the game. They even led by 7 points two minutes before the final whistle. However, Al-Kuwait, leveraging the experience and prowess of its players, managed to snatch victory in the closing moments.

Al-Qadsia players demonstrated exceptional proficiency in three-point shooting during the first quarter, finishing with a 23-18 lead. Although the yellow team widened the gap early in the second quarter, establishing a 31-21 lead in the initial two minutes, the white team swiftly regained composure, narrowing the deficit to 3 points by the quarter's end, with a score of 41-44.

The third quarter unfolded with heightened excitement, witnessing an exchange of scoring between the two teams. Al-Kuwait managed to edge ahead, concluding the quarter with a 69-65 lead.

Both teams maintained their competitive edge in the fourth quarter, as Al-Qadsia surged ahead by 7 points in the final two minutes. However, Al-Kuwait swiftly responded with two consecutive attacks, featuring three-pointers from Hamad Adnan and Turki Hamoud. They maintained control of the match, ultimately securing a 97-94 victory.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff