McDonald's Championships
on Britball
Aussies drown out Lebanese drum beat
Mark Woods in Milan
A quarter-full audience in the Filaforum witnessed Adelaide 36ers from Australia take the consolation fifth spot at the McDonald's Championship by virtue of a 91-84 victory over Lebanon's CS Sagesse.
And it was a contest worthy of any title game as both sides shook off the effects of an early start to produce a fine contest.
The noise generated by the armies of Lebanese drummers in the stands was infectious and their favourite team were level with the Antipodeans after the opening quarter at 20-20 after recovering from a 16-2 Adelaide blast out..
The 36ers forward line was much the more imposing and a 28-14 kick in the next period splintered the match open before Sagesse fought their way back into the match to level matters once again at 64-64 entering the closing period.
Once again, former Chester Jets Prentice McGruder proved the driving force, setting up team-mate Elie Mchantaf for a series of three point scores towards his game best 26.
The Australians forged ahead again and although McGruder hit his own trey to reduce the deficit to just two points with 1:54 to play, it would come no closer.
Martin Cattalin led the 36ers with 23 points and Brett Maher added 21.
1 2 3 4 Final Ade 20 28 16 27 91 Sag 20 14 30 20 84
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