Smouha of Egypt will face Primeiro de Agosto in the semi-final of the FIBA Africa Basketball League after they eliminated their compatriots Al Ahly 179-163 on aggregate on Sunday at the Al Ittihad Stadium, Alexandria.
Al Ahly needed to overcome a 9-point deficit from the first leg (82-91) but fell further to a 7-point deficit at the end of the first half 40-33.
Smouha had to count on the duo of James Justice and Augustine Okosun remaining part of the game as they could only record 16 points from the bench as compared to Al Ahly’s 39.
James Justice and Augustine Okosun both made a double-double in the game. Justice had 23 points and 10 assists with three rebounds to go with it while Okosun added 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Adamu Saaka had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists while Ahmed Farag contributed 11 points for Smouha.
Four players finished on double figures for Al Ahly, Reginald Holmes had 18 points, Todd O’Brien had 17 points and 17 rebound double-double.
Mohamed Abouelnasr added 13 points while Ibrahim Ragab Elgammal scored 10 points in the game
Despite losing the last quarter by a point, 18-19 the host held on to beat Al Ahly 88-81 in the second leg of the FIBA Africa Basketball League and progress to the last four scheduled for May.
