Al Ahly Libya survived the last play of the game to edge Club Africain, 88-87, in the first meeting of the BAL Playoff quarterfinals.
Oussama Marnaoui’s 3-pointer at the final buzzer that drew steel was a sigh of relief for short-handed Al Ahly, who were without star center and former MVP Lual Lual Acuil.
However, the one-point win leaves the battle for a semifinal place wide open ahead of the second meeting on Monday, May 25.
How the game unfolded
Al Ahly Libya, through power forward Majok Deng and center Assem Marei, who went to work early with wing Donovan Williams providing support around the perimeter, controlled the opening quarter 28-15.
Club Africain started the second quarter with a lot of urgency and intent, with Jesse Jones Jr and Omar Abada attacking the hole to cut the deficit to single digits. Mohamed Sadi connected from the corner to arrest the run, but it was Club Africains’ defensive effort anchored by Mohammed Aminu that set the foundation for their offensive game in a quarter they outscored their opponents 31-21.
The third quarter usually decides the tide of games, and Al Ahly tried to make sure of it by starting the period with a 7-0 run to establish a double-digit lead. The run forced Antonio Pérez to call for time, and while the skid was arrested throughout the stretch of the period, the Libyans remained in charge but led by just four points (69-65) heading into the final quarter.
Marnaoui connected at the 45 to start the fourth quarter for Club Africain, but Williams responded with a dunk, followed by a pair of foul shots from Deng.
The game was a seesaw the rest of the period. Marnoui tied the game at 81 with a free throw, but on the next possession, Deng connected from the corner and stared down the Club Africain bench. At the other end, Aminu made a reverse lay-up to pull the game within a point but Charles Moore swished a pair of free throws to restore Al Ahly’s 3-point lead.
Abada then attacked the hole for a lay-up and was, a few moments later, sent to the line by Sadi with 15.5 seconds to play. The star point guard hit both to put Club Africain up 87-86.
At the other end, Williams hit a tough midrange jumper to put Al Ahly up 88-87 with 2 seconds on the clock, which was enough time for Club Africain to get off a shot, but Marnoui’s jumper at the forty-five drew steel.
Deng netted a game-high 23 points to lead Al Ahly Libya. Sadi (16 points & 10 rebounds), Moore (22), and Williams (17) also scored in double figures.
Abada and Marnoui matched the game-high 23 points in a losing effort, while Jones Jr (16) and Aminu (12) also reached double-digit points.
Related
Recommended for you
