Ivan Buva dominated the paint en route to a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double, shooting 9-of-13 from the field and anchoring a pivotal third-quarter surge where he dropped 15 points to turn a 41-40 halftime deficit into a commanding 70-55 lead.
Perry Petty added 19 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, including two clutch free throws with 5 seconds left to seal the deal after Al Difaa tied the game late.
But it was Mozafari’s timely defense that saved the night. With Tabiat clinging to an 85-83 lead, the veteran guard stripped Ramon Galloway in the final seconds to prevent a potential game-tying shot.
Galloway led Al Difaa with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, but also committed 6 of the team’s 18 turnovers. Jordan Hamilton had a strong showing with 15 points, 13 boards, and 4 assists, while Ali Ismael added 17 points.
The win lifts Tabiat to 4-2, keeping them in strong contention for a top-three finish. Al Difaa drops to 1-6 despite another gritty performance that showed their underdog spirit remains very much alive.