Arab Games Basketball: Lebanon and Egypt women close to medal finish

Lebanon's women's basketball team moved closer to their second Arab Games championship title aspirations on Thursday with a, 87-38, win over Somalia. Egypt followed with a 91-51 triumph over Jordan to clinch the silver medal, and the Jordanians are in good shape to become the bronze medalists. The women s tournament is a round-robin competition and the standings at the end of play on Monday will determine the medalists. Lebanon is first overall with eight points, while Egypt has seven and Jordan six. Somalia, Qatar and Kuwait are tied on four points. One more point by Lebanon's women translates into gold and since the losing team is awarded a point, the Lebanese are primed to become champions by just showing up. "We have one more game, one more, and that is all I am going to say," said Lebanon s Martina Alison Wood, who has averaged 16.3 points per game in four straight wins. Lebanon coach Vicken Eskigjian couldn’t hide his delight at what his team had accomplished. "After watching the other teams, the gold medal, we have it in our pocket. It is important for our young girls. I have six girls between 16 and 19 and for the future it is a good thing to win a title, and winning gold in the Arab Games is special." The turning point for Lebanon came in a 68-67 win over Egypt. The winning point came on a foul shot with 1.5 seconds left in the game. "One mistake (in a loss to Lebanon) cost us the chance. I think if we didn't make that mistake and the game when to overtime, we would have won and got the gold," said Egypt coach Amr Ashour after disposing of Jordan. "But this is basketball. Sometimes you can t control things." In the only men s game, African champions Tunisia shook off a slow start and rallied to beat Morocco 64-53. Tunisia finished first in Group B with six points, with Lebanon and Jordan tied on three points apiece. Lebanon play Jordan tonight, with the winner joining Tunisia in the second round.