DIBC: Strong Group seals top seed after escaping Beirut First

DeMarcus Cousins led the way this time for the now 3-0 SGA. UAE Basketball Association
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Strong Group Athletics scored its third straight win in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

However, it had to withstand a great fight from Beirut First for an 85-78 win early Tuesday (Philippine Time) at the Al-Nasr Club in Dubai.

SGA erupted for 34 points in the second quarter to turn a close game into a 49-34 lead at halftime even as they stretched their lead to as high as 21, 75-54, with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

However, Beirut First came alive later in the fourth and cut the lead to eight, 84-76, with 49 seconds left.

Emotions got in the way of Beirut First head coach Jad El Hajj as he was slapped with a technical foul for resentment to a non-call, and DeMarcus Cousins hit the technical free throw to up the lead back to nine, 85-76, with 41 seconds to go.

Tony Farmer then missed two pressure-packed free throws that could have further trimmed the gap as Beirut First ran out of gas.

Cousins finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals for SGA, which also sealed the top seed for Group A ahead of the quarterfinals.

Ange Kouame added 14 points, eight rebounds, and one assist as he stepped up in a game where Chris McCullough, who topped the team in scoring in the first two games, was held to only six points.

SGA can complete the sweep of the group phase with a win against Amman United.

Sergio El-Darwich also dropped 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, and three steals to lead Beirut First, which lost for the first time after a 2-0 start.

Ali Mezher added 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Former Blackwater import Ricky Ledo was held to only seven points while committing four turnovers, while former Rain Or Shine import prospect Kenneth Kadji also struggled with five markers and two boards.

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