Iran, Lebanon and Jordan continue to roll in WABA Championship 2017

Day Two of the West Asia Basketball Association (WABA) Championship 2017 in Amman, Jordan once again saw the favorites reign supreme. Iran, Lebanon and Jordan all won today to pad their respective win-loss records at 2-0 each.

Iran opened the day with a 92-48 blowout of Syria. Coach Mehran Hatami's wards led from start to finish, building a 21-point bubble at the end of the first half that they never relinquished. The FIBA Asia Challengel 2016 champions dominated in nearly every facet of the game, out-rebounding Syria, 48-25, and netting more assists, 19-8. The Iranians also waxed hot from beyond the arc, hitting 16 of their 28 triple tries.

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Game Report

Iran, Lebanon and Jordan continue to roll in WABA Championship 2017

[Jordan (JOR)]
#WABA2017 hosts Jordan beat Iraq for their second win

AMMAN (WABA Championship 2017) - Day Two of the West Asia Basketball Association (WABA) Championship 2017 in Amman, Jordan once again saw the favorites reign supreme. Iran, Lebanon and Jordan all won today to pad their respective win-loss records at 2-0 each.

Iran opened the day with a 92-48 blowout of Syria. Coach Mehran Hatami's wards led from start to finish, building a 21-point bubble at the end of the first half that they never relinquished. The FIBA Asia Challengel 2016 champions dominated in nearly every facet of the game, out-rebounding Syria, 48-25, and netting more assists, 19-8. The Iranians also waxed hot from beyond the arc, hitting 16 of their 28 triple tries.

Mohammad Jamshidi led Iran with 17 points on 6-of-10 field goal shooting, including hitting 4 threes, while Arsalan Kazemi had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double. Youngster Behnam Yakhchali also impressed with a dozen points even as backcourt mate Sajjad Masshayekhi added 11 points, 7 boards and 3 assists. On the other end, no Syrian player scored more than 8 points.

In the next game, Lebanon leaned on the hot shooting of returning national team sniper Elie Stephan to make short work of hard-luck Palestine, 99-75. Stephan hit 7 three-pointers en route to 23 points while also grabbing 7 rebounds and handing out 2 assists.

The Cedars led comfortably after one period and proceeded to dominate the ballgame the rest of the way. They limited Palestine to just 35% shooting from the field and out-rebounded them as well, 53-43. "The Tiger" Fadi El Khatib also did well with 21 points on 9-of-20 field goal shooting, while 2.10m naturalized center Ater Majok had 9 points, 8 boards and 3 steals.

Jamal Abu-Shamala and Ibrahim Habash paced Palestine with 25 and 13 points respectively.

The day's final contest between Iraq and Jordan was pretty tight, but the hosts managed to outlast their foes, 66-62. This was a nip-tuck affair all throughout, and though Al Nashama managed a 15-point lead in the third quarter, credit should be given to Iraq for staying within striking distance and nearly pulling the rug from their more fancied foes.

Just like yesterday, Mahmoud Abdeen starred for Jordan with 19 points. He also recorded 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 1 blocked shot while also hitting twice from beyond the arc. His backcourt partner, Mousa Al-Awadi, also torched the net for 19 points, hitting 3 triples. Center Mohammad Shaher Hussein was solid once again with a 12-point, 12-rebound line.

As for the Iraqis, naturalized player Kevin Galloway scored a team-high 22 points in a no-relief performance. He also notched 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 swipes. Bulky frontliner Mohammed Al-Khafaji was also productive, holding his own against Hussein with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.

Iraq and Syria look to finally break through the win column when they face each other on Day Three. Lebanon and Iran, meanwhile, will face off for a share of the top spot, while Jordan stake their unbeaten slate against dangerous Palestine.

RESULTS:

Iran beat Syria, 92-48

Lebanon beat Palestine, 99-75

Jordan beat Iraq, 66-62