Qadsia players out-jumps the Al Arabi defense to score.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 15: Qadsia delivered a commanding performance as it swept aside Al-Arabi 109–66 in the derby clash in Round 11 of the basketball league. In the other match of the round, Al-Qurain also enjoyed a comfortable outing, overpowering Al-Nasr 111–60. Both games took place at the Federation Hall in the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex.

The victory saw Qadsia draw level with Kuwait Club at the top of the standings on 20 points, while Al-Arabi slumped to its 11th consecutive loss, remaining winless at the bottom. Al-Qurain moved into third place with 18 points, as Al-Nasr stayed sixth with 14 points.

The opening quarter of the Qadsia–Al-Arabi encounter was evenly matched, with Qadsia coach Indak Baysir giving his substitutes valuable court time, and the “Yellows” edging ahead 24–22. Qadsia then began to pull away in the second quarter to take a 46–37 lead at the break.

Its superiority became clear in the third quarter as it tightened its grip on the game, stretching the margin to 86–54, before completing a one-sided contest with a dominant final period.

Action in Round 11 continues today with Kazma facing Al-Sahel at 5:00 pm, followed by Kuwait Club against Al-Sulaibikhat at 7:30 pm, both at the Federation Hall.

The league is played in three stages, with the top four teams advancing to the Final Four, which will be decided through a best-of-three playoff format.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff