JORDAN STUN CHINA TO STEP UP WORLD CUP BID
Feb 22, 2019
Jordan reignited their FIBA World Cup qualification bid with a stunning victory over China in front of a packed Prince Hamzeh Hall in Al Hussein Youth City on Friday night.
The crushing 86-62 win came courtesy of 11 three-pointers from 23 attempts, with Dar Tucker putting up the game-high of 32 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out five assists for Jordan.
The 35-year-old Zaid Abbas, formerly having played in several Chinese clubs, notched 20 points and 10 rebounds.
“The home atmosphere helped us a lot. I'm happy with the team's performance,” said Jordan coach, Joseph Anthony Stiebing. After a 13-all draw midway through the opening quarter, Tucker had five points in a row, before Malek Kanaan hit two consecutive three-pointers to compile a 24-18 advantage.
Abbas contributed all of Jordan's 10 points early in the second period, leading them to a 48-30 lead at halftime.
World Cup hosts, China, tried to fight back but Abbas and Tucker made it safe for Jordan en route to a crucial win in World Cup qualification.
The win takes Jordan third in the table with top of the table New Zealand next at home on Sunday.
