Strong Group import Chris McCullough unleashed 31 points as they improve to 2-0 in the early goings of the the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Chris McCullough continued to be the centerpiece in scoring for the Strong Group Athletics as they drubbed the Al Nasr, 99-87, at the Al Nasr Club in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Saturday.
Coming off the bench once more, McCullough dropped 31 points on 12-of-16 scoring to pace Strong Group. He also had nine rebounds, three assists, and one block.
But this time, McCullough had help from the locals like Mikey Williams who recovered from his flat start in their opening game to finish with 16 points, one rebound, and four asssists. Dave Ildefonso contributed 13 markers as well.
The Strong Group used the first half to create distance against Al Nasr as they entered the halftime break ahead by 12, 50-38.
At one point, the Philippine team led by as many as 27 in the third quarter.
Strong Group survived a combined 64 points from Al Nasr’s Harat Mohammed and Marvelle Harris, who contributed 34 and 30 points, respectively.
All but one player suited up for SGA coach Charles Tiu as DeMarcus Cousins, who did the heavy lifting in scoring the last time out, was able to rest with only 13 minutes of play against Al Nasr.
The former NBA All-Star center finished with eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in the victory.
SGA is thus 2-0 in Group A. They get a day off before resuming action against Beirut First on Monday, January 27.
The other Philippine team, the Zamboanga Valientes, lost in their opening game and are 0-1 in Group B.