Hamad Hasan stars as Kuwait Club torch Muharraq in season opener

MANAMA (Bahrain) - Kuwait Club began their FIBA WASL-Gulf League title defense bid impressively by spoiling the debut of Muharraq, 108-92, to open Season 2, Monday night at the BBA Arena.

The reigning champions broke away in the second period and never let their guards down since, effectively silencing the home crowd as they went on to snare the early lead in Group A.

Game heroes: Hamad Hasan starred in the victory with a game-high 28 points, which is currently the most by a non-foreign player in WASL-Gulf history. The sweet-shooting forward shot a total of eight three-pointers, the most in the sub-zone league as well.

Cady Lalanne registered a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, together with a steal and a pair of blocks. Mohamad Hasan delivered 15 points and 7 rebounds.

FIBA WASL first-timer Tony Carr flirted with history as he almost tallied a rare triple-double, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in 27 minutes. Marcus Georges-Hunt chipped in 12 points, with backcourt running mate Turki Alshemmari supplying 10 points.

STEP AHEAD Player of the Game: Hamad deservingly earned STEP AHEAD Player of the Game honors for his historic night.

Turning point: Kuwait Club actually trailed by a field goal early in the second period but Carr buckled down to work, scoring and assisting to lead a 9-0 run en route to the 41-34 lead with 4:52 to go.

Momentum shifted their way since, with Omran Jawhar, Hamad, and Lalanne adding up to the lead. All in all, the visiting team put together a 21-4 run to head into the break with a 53-38 lead.

Stats don't lie: Kuwait Club made 15 triples in the rout that saw them shoot almost 52-percent from the floor. They collected 26 assists, and dominated the boards also, 50-33, 

They said: "I knew it wouldn't be easy. We're definitely the favorite against that team but it doesn't make it any easier anytime you play away. That's what I told the team before the game, they're not just gonna give it. That's what they did. They came out and they shot 60-percent from the three-point line. We didn't play good defense but they were ready. They made the best out of their opportunities in the beginning and took us a while to get into a good rhythm." - Peter Schomers, Head Coach, Kuwait Club

"We knew it's not gonna be an easy game. They made a lot of shots and we had to adjust our defense, which we did. Our guys came out and played well." - Cady Lalanne, Kuwait Club

"I would like to congratulate the Kuwait team. They were very consistent during the game. Everybody knows the Kuwait team, this group has been together for more than four years and I am very proud of my players, they fought until the end. The only thing that happened is we were down in the second quarter ... But if you see, our turnover ratio against them was better (8-14); we had 17 three-points made against 15. It shows that the team is promising. I'm very proud, and this is only the first game." - Ahmed Jan, Head Coach, Muharraq

"We played good for the first two quarters, maybe in the middle of the third we lost control. Small mistakes that brought the game a little bit far away from us. In the fourth we tried to get in the game back but unfortunately, if we play this good from the last three to four minutes, that will not be able to be in the game back. Hopefully we bounce back next game." - Mohamed Juma, Muharraq

FIBA