AS Sale wins Riyadi Beirut 71-59 in the semifinals of the arab club basketball championshipsThursday in sale.
The match was nervy from the offset but Riyadi took the upper hand thanks to a 3-pointer from talisman Ismael Ahmad.
Abdelhakim Zoueita kept the Moroccan side in contention after a fierce throw-down dunk, before the Lebanese side eventually led 18-15 at the end of the first quarter.
But Abdelnour showed his class, banking a triple to give his side a 3-point lead, but a 5-0 run for AS Sale saw in the lead for the first time in the match at 45-43. The third quarter eventually ended at 47 all, with all to play for the fourth.
Boosted by their home crowd, Sale had a made bright start to the fourth, as Jason Lowe and Grundy hit from distance to give the hosts a commanding 65-55 lead.
Riyadi failed to find their rhythm in the final period, unlike their opponents, who controlled the tempo and executed a great passing game.
Riyadi lost their chance to claim the title for a record-extending sixth time, as AS Sale will now face Rayyan in the final after the Qatari team defeated Ahly Egypt 90-78
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