Al-Riyadi Defeat Central, 85-74
Al-Riyadi pulled away for a convincing 85-74 D1M win over Central at Saeb Salam on Saturday, December 6. Maurice Kemp led the charge for Al-Riyadi with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Al-Riyadi took a 48-38 lead into halftime. The second quarter was the decisive stretch, with Al-Riyadi outscoring their opponents 25-18 to swing the momentum in their favor.
The game featured several highlight plays. The game featured 8 dunks in total, with K. Wooten (Central) throwing down a powerful slam in the first quarter. A. Saoud (Al-Riyadi) connected from beyond the arc in the third quarter. K. Wooten was a force on the defensive end with 12 blocks.
Maurice Kemp was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks in 32 minutes of action. He shot 7-of-9 (78%) from the field, 11-of-16 (69%) from the free-throw line. The double-double effort underlined his all-around impact on the game. Ivan Buva provided valuable support with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists.
Al-Riyadi's bench was a major factor, contributing 30 points off the pine. Ivan Buva was the standout reserve, providing 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists in a spark-plug role. Al-Riyadi also generated 12 second-chance points and 15 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Both teams shot similarly from the field — Al-Riyadi at 45% and Central at 43%. From beyond the arc, Al-Riyadi connected on 7-of-14 (50%) while Central managed just 4-of-19 (21%). Al-Riyadi also had the advantage at the charity stripe, converting 22 free throws to Central's 10.
Al-Riyadi's ball movement was superior with 26 assists to Central's 17. Al-Riyadi was in control for much of the game, building a lead of up to 15 points.
In a losing effort, Anyeuri Castillo fought hard for Central, finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals. Kenny Wooten added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.