Tribune News Network
DOHA
The QBF League leaders Al Shamal Club and Al Arabi Club had mixed fortunes at the Al Gharafa Club Indoor Hall on Sunday. While Al Shamal Club were outclassed by Al Rayyan, the latter managed to hold off Al Gharafa Club and stretch their winning run to eight matches – the longest in the 2019-20 season.
With a commanding 97-61 victory, Al Rayyan Club improved their chances for a slot in the semi-finals as they dismantled the defending champions Al Shamal in a crucial 15th round match.
In other match, Al Gharafa looked to be providing other shock result as they forged 14 points clear at one stage (46-32). But Al Arabi slowly eroded into the lead of Al Gharafa, who were even eight points ahead in the fourth quarter (78-70). But Kevin Galloway put Al Arabi on a dazzling 11-point run at 73-80 and point guard Miroslav Todic completed it with a layup to earn a vital four-point lead for their team.
With 37 second left, guard Theron Bussey nailed a downtown to wrest the lead (85-84). But he committed a foul on Galloway when only three seconds remained. Guard Galloway accepted the offers and converted them to win the thriller for Al Arabi, who also have 26 points from their 12th win in 15 games.
Centre Mohammed Harat had a game-high 30 points, along with 12 rebounds for Al Arabi. Todic and Khalid Suliman Abdi mustered 15 each and Galloway added 12.
For Al Gharafa, who have now 23 points after five defeats in 14 matches, guard Abdulrahman Saad was the leading scorer with 27. Sammy Monroe got 20, while Bussey and Aaron Nelson collected 15 each.
Supported solidly by guard Eric Lockett and veteran forward Tanguy Ngombo, forward Tony Farmer enabled Al Rayyan to dominate the first two quarters. An early 11-point run propelled them 19-10 ahead before taking them 25 points clear at the interval (55-30).
Al Shamal split the honours in the third quarter (16-16) but were outscored again in the last 10 minutes as Al Rayyan Club collected their ninth win and increased their points tally to 24.
Farmer had a superb field goal conversion rate of 63.2 percent and finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Lockett also had a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds. Tanguy added 20 points, while guard Mohamed Hassan Mohamed secured 11 points.
Al Shamal had four shooters in double digits but none could enter the twenties. Aaron Mitchell led them with 17, Mikheil Berishvili netted 14, while George Tsintsadze and Faris Avdic got 13 and 10 before centre Omar Salem had 10 rebounds and five points. The fourth defeat ended Al Shamal’s six-match winning streak. They have now 26 points and are still leading the table.ResultsAl Rayyan Club beat Al Shamal Club 97-61 (half-time 55-30)
Main performers – Al Rayyan: Tony Farmer 29 pts & 15 rebounds, Eric Lockett 23 pts & 10 rebounds, Tanguy Ngombo 20 pts, Mohamed Hassan Mohamed 11 pts
Al Shamal: Aaron Mitchell 17 pts, Mikheil Berishvili 14 pts, George Tsintsadze 13 pts, Faris Avdic 10 pts, Omar Salem 5 pts & 10 rebounds
Al Arabi beat Al Gharafa Club 86-85 (half-time 39-46)
Main performers – Al Arabi: Mohammed Harat 30 pts & 12 rebounds, Miroslav Todic 15 pts, Khalid Suliman Abdi 15 pts, Kevin Galloway 12 pts
Al Gharafa: Abdulrahman Saad 27 pts, Sammy Monroe 20 pts, Theron Bussey 15 pts, Aaron Nelson 15 pts
DOHA
The QBF League leaders Al Shamal Club and Al Arabi Club had mixed fortunes at the Al Gharafa Club Indoor Hall on Sunday. While Al Shamal Club were outclassed by Al Rayyan, the latter managed to hold off Al Gharafa Club and stretch their winning run to eight matches – the longest in the 2019-20 season.
With a commanding 97-61 victory, Al Rayyan Club improved their chances for a slot in the semi-finals as they dismantled the defending champions Al Shamal in a crucial 15th round match.
In other match, Al Gharafa looked to be providing other shock result as they forged 14 points clear at one stage (46-32). But Al Arabi slowly eroded into the lead of Al Gharafa, who were even eight points ahead in the fourth quarter (78-70). But Kevin Galloway put Al Arabi on a dazzling 11-point run at 73-80 and point guard Miroslav Todic completed it with a layup to earn a vital four-point lead for their team.
With 37 second left, guard Theron Bussey nailed a downtown to wrest the lead (85-84). But he committed a foul on Galloway when only three seconds remained. Guard Galloway accepted the offers and converted them to win the thriller for Al Arabi, who also have 26 points from their 12th win in 15 games.
Centre Mohammed Harat had a game-high 30 points, along with 12 rebounds for Al Arabi. Todic and Khalid Suliman Abdi mustered 15 each and Galloway added 12.
For Al Gharafa, who have now 23 points after five defeats in 14 matches, guard Abdulrahman Saad was the leading scorer with 27. Sammy Monroe got 20, while Bussey and Aaron Nelson collected 15 each.
Supported solidly by guard Eric Lockett and veteran forward Tanguy Ngombo, forward Tony Farmer enabled Al Rayyan to dominate the first two quarters. An early 11-point run propelled them 19-10 ahead before taking them 25 points clear at the interval (55-30).
Al Shamal split the honours in the third quarter (16-16) but were outscored again in the last 10 minutes as Al Rayyan Club collected their ninth win and increased their points tally to 24.
Farmer had a superb field goal conversion rate of 63.2 percent and finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Lockett also had a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds. Tanguy added 20 points, while guard Mohamed Hassan Mohamed secured 11 points.
Al Shamal had four shooters in double digits but none could enter the twenties. Aaron Mitchell led them with 17, Mikheil Berishvili netted 14, while George Tsintsadze and Faris Avdic got 13 and 10 before centre Omar Salem had 10 rebounds and five points. The fourth defeat ended Al Shamal’s six-match winning streak. They have now 26 points and are still leading the table.ResultsAl Rayyan Club beat Al Shamal Club 97-61 (half-time 55-30)
Main performers – Al Rayyan: Tony Farmer 29 pts & 15 rebounds, Eric Lockett 23 pts & 10 rebounds, Tanguy Ngombo 20 pts, Mohamed Hassan Mohamed 11 pts
Al Shamal: Aaron Mitchell 17 pts, Mikheil Berishvili 14 pts, George Tsintsadze 13 pts, Faris Avdic 10 pts, Omar Salem 5 pts & 10 rebounds
Al Arabi beat Al Gharafa Club 86-85 (half-time 39-46)
Main performers – Al Arabi: Mohammed Harat 30 pts & 12 rebounds, Miroslav Todic 15 pts, Khalid Suliman Abdi 15 pts, Kevin Galloway 12 pts
Al Gharafa: Abdulrahman Saad 27 pts, Sammy Monroe 20 pts, Theron Bussey 15 pts, Aaron Nelson 15 pts