The eight teams through to the league quarter-finals

The preliminary stage of the UAE men's basketball league has closed, with eight teams securing their places in the quarter-finals.

Shabab Al Ahli strengthened their lead in the UAE league with a win over Al Nasr in the final round of the preliminary stage.

Shabab Al Ahli beat visitors Al Nasr 93-72 to reach 35 points at the top of the table, while Al Nasr held third place on 32 points despite the defeat.

Joint leaders Sharjah continued their run of wins by beating Al Wahda 103-79.

The win kept Sharjah level at the top on 35 points, while Al Wahda are ninth on 21.

Al Bataeh settled their match against Bani Yas 87-77, completing their league wins to reach 30 points in fourth.

Bani Yas continued their run of defeats and are seventh on 25 points, losing sixth place to Al Dhafra on the same total.

Al Dhafra swept aside hosts Al Ain 82-44 to draw level with Bani Yas on 25 points, while Al Ain remain bottom on 18.

Also on the closing day of the preliminary stage, Al Wasl returned to winning ways by beating Al Jazira 63-60.

The win took Al Wasl to 27 points in fifth, with Al Jazira eighth on 22.

Al Wahda and Al Ain go out

On these results Al Wahda and Al Ain leave the competition in ninth and tenth, while the other eight teams took the quarter-final places.

Final standings

Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah topped the preliminary stage on 35 points each, with the advantage going to Shabab Al Ahli. Al Nasr were third on 32 points and Al Bataeh fourth on 30.

Al Wasl were fifth on 27 points, followed by Al Dhafra on 25, Bani Yas seventh on 25, and Al Jazira eighth on 22.

The next stage

The eight teams now enter the quarter-finals, played as a best-of-three over a first and second leg, with a deciding third game if the sides are level on wins and losses.

Shabab Al Ahli meet Al Jazira, Sharjah meet Bani Yas, Al Nasr play Al Dhafra, and Al Bataeh meet Al Wasl.