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TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Jordan played some tight defence especially on the key players in the rival side and surged ahead to an 84-67 victory over fellow West Asian contenders and last edition’s silver medalists Lebanon in Group D on Thursday.

Lebanese mainstay Fadi El Khatib didn’t last even three quarters – ejected for five personal fouls with about a minute left in the third quarter.

During the time he played, the Al Riyadi spearhead was restricted to a mere four shots at the goal, which was the telling tale of the proceedings in the game. He did convert three of those chances, including a three-pointer but that was not even consolatory.

Jordan, on the other hand, having disturbed the rivals’ rhythm played with gusto to emerge proud winners.

Lebanon, who trailed for the entire first half, fought back well with Brian Feghali’s three-pointer earning them their first – and eventually the only – lead in the game (48-46) with 4:13 left in the third quarter.

But Jordan hit back with vengeance recording a 14-0 run that left Lebanon behind till the end.

Mohammad Hadrab scored in the paint and Zaid Abbas converted one of the free-throws and Jordan were back in lead, never to give it up again.

Rasheim Wright and Ayman Idais took over from there.

Wright, who scored four points including a colourful dunk during that Jordanian spree, led the scoring for the game with a record-high 23 points.

Idais, who accounted for five points – a sizzling three-pointer from almost the centre-line being the highlight – in that third quarter blitz, ended with 15 points and six rebounds.

Zaid Abbas collected a game-high 10 rebounds to go with his 18 rebounds as Jordan won the battle of boards 40-31.

American Jackson Vroman, recently naturalized by Lebanon bowed out midway through the fourth quarter, after scoring merely 11 points, in a 33% field record.

Mat Freije was the leading scorer for Lebanon 17 points.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia