QBL Round 9: Al Shamal keep a leadership position

Shane Osayande

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Al Shamal as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Shamal smashed bottom-ranked Al Khor in Doha 87-52. Al Shamal made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game, while Al Khor only scored four points from the stripe. They outrebounded Al Khor 45-32 including a 36-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Shamal looked well-organized offensively handing out 45 assists comparing to just 32 passes made by Al Khor's players. It was a good game for Palestinian-Canadian forward Shane Osayande (200-1993, college: Saskatchewan) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 29 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic (203-1990) contributed with 25 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals for the winners. American power forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri) answered with a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for Al Khor. Al Shamal have a solid series of three victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Al Khor at the other side still closes the standings with nine games lost.
Leading Al Sadd (6-2) recorded its second loss in Doha. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Al Gharafa (4-5) 89-87. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Sadd. The former international forward Nedim Muslic (197-1998) stepped up with a triple-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners and CJ Aiken chipped in 11 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. The best for the losing side was American-German forward Waverly Austin (211-1991, college: Oregon, agency: Diamond Sports) with a triple-double by scoring 27 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 blocks. Al Gharafa have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Defending champion Al Sadd dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with Qatar Club.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Doha: Qatar Club (#4) and Al Arabi (#4). Al Arabi was defeated at home 99-103 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Brian Halums nailed a triple-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 9 steals for the winning side. Kelechi Ajukwa came up with 35 points (!!!), 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals for Al Arabi in the defeat. Al Arabi's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Qatar Club have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Sadd. Loser Al Arabi dropped to the fifth position with four games lost.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Al Shamal smashed Al Khor on the road 71-52. Al Wakrah lost to defending champion Al Sadd on its own court 85-117. Al Arabi unfortunately lost to Al Gharafa in Doha 70-88.