Big shot by Bazzi sends Fordson past Dearborn High in OT w/ PHOTO GALLERY
An in-city rivalry was renewed on the hardwood Friday as Dearborn High trekked over to Dearborn Fordson for a girls’ basketball tilt in the KLAA East.
Four quarters were not enough to settle this sluggish, low-scoring affair. After tying it up late in regulation, the host Tractors completed the comeback win in overtime.
Thanks to a 3-pointer from Celina Bazzi in the final seconds, Fordson sank the rival Pioneers by a final score of 33-30 in a game that also capped off the first half of league play for both squads.
The respective scoring totals on Friday were the second-lowest for both teams in any game this season. It's also the second-fewest amount of points given up in a game by both teams, as well.
Despite the lack of scoring, Fordson coach Saleh Abazeed was largely pleased with the looks the Tractors (6-5, 4-3 KLAA East) were able to get on the offensive end of the floor.
"I thought we got everything we wanted and executed our offense the whole time," Abazeed said. "Really it was a matter of not hitting our shots. We haven't really shot the ball well in our last two games from (three-point range). But tonight we were missing bunnies under the basket."
Dearborn (6-5, 4-3 KLAA East) was held to just four points in the fourth quarter, allowing for Fordson to claw back into it.
Down 26-23 late, the Tractors' Batoul Reda hit a clutch three-point shot from the wing, which tied things up with about 20 seconds left in regulation and eventually forced overtime.
Fordson again had to play from behind in the extra session. Trailing 30-29, Reda converted on one of two free throws to tie things up once more. An empty possession for the Pioneers set up the eventual game-winning shot for the hosts.
With about 10 seconds left, Fordson's Rokaya Ajami grabbed an offensive rebound and passed to a wide-open Bazzi behind the arc. Bazzi got off an uncontested shot but the ball banged off the rim and bounced back out.
However, Ajami was there to snag another offensive board and she once again kicked it out to an uncovered Bazzi in three point-land. The sophomore tried another triple and this time it was nothing but net. Time expired as the ball fell through the hoop and the shot sent Fordson players and fans into a wild celebration.
Bazzi also hit a 3-pointer earlier in overtime and for the contest she finished with six points.
Dearborn had chances to put the game away late but couldn’t cash in. The Pioneers went a combined 2-for-11 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and overtime and they were just 6-for-17 from the line overall.
"It wasn't a great game by any stretch," said Dearborn coach Dave Arnold. "We had control of it for 31 minutes and 20 seconds and make a couple mistakes at the end of the game. Bottom line though is in a game like this, you have to make free throws down the stretch, it's that simple.
"When you play in (these) rivalries or games against good teams in general, the team that wins is going to make that one extra play."
It's the sixth time that the Pioneers were held to 40 points or fewer in a game this season. Conversely, it is the seventh time they have held the opposition to 40 points or fewer.
"I think we can and need to shoot it better," Arnold said. "We're going to keep working at it. But if we're going to continue defending and playing hard like we did there tonight, we're going to be in games so I'm not worried too much (about the scoring).
"We practice at 11 a.m. on Sunday, I'll know by 11:07 where our heads are at."
As for the Tractors, it was a much-needed win after having dropped three of their previous four games. Albeit not the prettiest of contests, Abazeed and his group will certainly take the big rivalry win.
"We needed this in the worst way possible," Abazeed said. "For a little bit there, I felt like we were spiraling downward. When we play with effort and energy, which we had none of Tuesday night, I think we are a really good team. Hopefully it's just one of those mid-season dips."
For Fordson, Reda finished with a game-high 21 points including an 8-for-10 night at the free-throw line. In addition to Bazzi's six points, the Tractors got four points from Dunia Saleh and two points from Tia Basma.
Meanwhile for Dearborn, Mya Hamood led the way with 17 points, 15 of which came on five made triples including one in overtime.
Hamood was just one of two Pioneers to make a shot from the field. Kataya Salame was the other, she finished with nine points.
Both teams will return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Dearborn will wrap up its current three-game road trip with a game at Livonia Churchill at 7 p.m. The Pioneers defeated the Chargers 46-34 back on Dec. 16.
The Pioneers' next scheduled home game is Friday, Jan 28 against Canton at 7 p.m.
Friday's game was the first of four consecutive home matchups for Fordson. The Tractors on Tuesday will welcome in Westland John Glenn at 7 p.m. Fordson defeated the Rockets 53-28 back on Dec 16.
The Tractors and Pioneers will meet again on Feb. 18 at Dearborn at 5:30 p.m. in a matchup that will wrap up league play for both sides.
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