LOS BAÑOS—Mighty Sports came up short of coming back from 18 points down as Egypt pulled off an 84-82 win in Day 2 of the Dubai International Basketball Tournament at the Al Ahli Club in Dubai early Sunday (Philippine Time).
The Egyptians nearly blew a huge lead they built after stifling the Filipinos in the second quarter but still walked away with the win.
Egypt outscored Mighty, 26-11, in the second frame to take a 45-33 lead before stretching it to 18, 58-40, with 2:10 left in the third.
Egypt was holding to an 80-70 cushion with 1:54 left when Justin Brownlee fired eight straight points to cut the lead to two, 80-78, with 12 seconds to go.
However, Mighty used up eight seconds before finally sending Youssef Aboushousha to the free throw line. He made both charities to extend the lead to four, 82-78.
Aboushousha, however, made a mistake afterward when he quickly fouled Kiefer Ravena in the next play. Ravena went 2-for-2 from the line as well.
Amro Abdelhalim appeared to have sealed the win with two free throws with three seconds left for an 84-80 lead, but Ravena still scored a basket with a second remaining to cut the lead back to two.
Aboushousha still left the door open for Mighty as he missed two freebies, but Ravena had to throw a desperation heave from the backcourt at the final buzzer that he missed.
Moatazpelleh Okasha led Egypt with 24 points, one rebound, three assists, and one steal, while Abdelhalim added 20 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Brownlee dropped 27 markers, four boards, two dimes, and two swipes for Mighty, which fell to 0-2.
Box Scores:
Egypt 84-Okasha 24, Abdelhalim 20, Abdallah 10, Aboushousha 8, Elnemr 7, Elgammal 5, Oraby 4, Said 4, Aborelrish 2, Tawfik 0, Eldahsnan 0
Mighty 82-Brownlee 27, Ravena 10, Thabeet 9, Teng 9, McGuire 8, Banal 7, David 3, Intal 3, Douthit 2, Miller 2, Araña 0
.JPG)
.jpg)
