QBL Round 11 (Regular Season): Al Ahli lose to Al Shamal

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise took place in Doha where host Al Shamal (4-7) beat league's leader Al Ahli (8-3) 81-72 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Al Ahli D.. Al Shamal made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Fadi Abilmona (178-1986) who scored 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu (183-1996, college: Stony Brook) chipped in 26 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). International forward Mohammed Abbasher (198-2004) produced 14 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Al Shamal maintains seventh place with 4-7 record. Al Ahli at the other side dropped to the second position with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Al Arabi. Al Ahli will play next round against Al Khor trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Al Shamal will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Al Sadd. It will be extra interesting game as Al Sadd is their local rival from Doha.
Important game to mention about took place in Al Wakrah. Fifth ranked Al Wakrah (6-5) saved a 2-point derby victory at home edging 4th placed Al Rayyan (7-4) 74-72 on Wednesday evening. Palestinian-Jordanian forward Hashem Abbaas (198-1999, college: Bridgeport) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. Darious Clark contributed with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American guard Nick Griffin (188-1995, college: St.Peter's) answered with 35 points (!!!) for Al Rayyan. Al Wakrah maintains fifth place with 6-5 record. Defending champion Al Rayyan dropped to the third position with four games lost. Al Wakrah will play against Qatar Club (#6) in Doha in the next round. Al Rayyan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Arabi.
A very close game took place in Doha between Al Sadd and Qatar Club. Eighth ranked Al Sadd (3-8) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Qatar Club (5-6). Al Sadd managed to escape with a 3-point win 71-68 on Saturday evening. It was a great evening for Darryl Owens who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Dejan Janjic responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds. Al Sadd maintains eighth place with 3-8 record. Qatar Club lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. Al Sadd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Shamal.

Other games of round 11 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Gharafa defeated Al Khor in Doha 83-66. Al Wakrah was smashed by Al Arabi at home 60-89. Al Rayyan won against Al Gharafa on the opponent's court 89-80.
The best stats of 11th round was 27 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks by Mouhammad Faye of Al Rayyan.



Al Wakrah - Al Rayyan 74-72

Important game to mention about took place in Al Wakrah. Fifth ranked Al Wakrah (6-5) saved a 2-point derby victory at home edging 4th placed Al Rayyan (7-4) 74-72 on Wednesday evening. Al Wakrah dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Al Rayyan's 34. Palestinian-Jordanian forward Hashem Abbaas (198-1999, college: Bridgeport) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Clark is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Al Wakrah players scored in double figures. American guard Nick Griffin (188-1995, college: St.Peter's) answered with 35 points (!!!) and Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Al Rayyan. Al Wakrah maintains fifth place with 6-5 record. Defending champion Al Rayyan dropped to the third position with four games lost. Al Wakrah will play against Qatar Club (#6) in Doha in the next round. Al Rayyan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Arabi.
Top scorers:
Al Rayyan: N.Griffin 35+4reb+3ast, M.Abdulla 12+7reb+2ast, M.Faye 10+10reb+2ast, M.Haracic 6+2reb+3ast, A.Bobo Magassa 6+8reb+1ast, H.Aref 3+3reb
Al Wakrah: N.Mame Souleye 21+8reb+1ast, D.Clark 20+7reb+4ast, H.Abbaas 16+12reb+3ast, J.Mubarak 10+5reb, A.Matalkeh 4+2reb, G.Abdirahman 2+6reb+3ast

Al Khor - Al Gharafa 66-83

There was no surprise when 9th ranked Al Khor (1-10) was defeated at home by third ranked Al Gharafa (7-5) 83-66 on Wednesday. Al Gharafa dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khor's 28 and made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Al Khor 46-28 including a 35-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for Senegalese center Adama Diakhite (205-1997) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). The former international forward Nedim Muslic (196-1998) helped adding 21 points and 10 rebounds. Four Al Gharafa players scored in double figures. Al Gharafa's coach Kosay Hatem used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman Jerald Gillens-Butler (196-1997, college: Elon) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and the other American import guard Tyree Crump (185-1997, college: Georgia, agency: BIG) scored 24 points and 5 assists. Al Gharafa have a solid series of three victories in a row. Despite that victory Al Gharafa went down to fourth position due to points difference. Al Khor lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with ten games lost. Al Gharafa's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena .
Top scorers:
Al Khor: T.Crump 24+2reb+5ast, J.Gillens-Butler 18+16reb+2ast, A.Kosar 8+4reb+1ast, O.Salem 7+4reb+1ast, C.Jacey 5, K.Mohamed 4+2reb+3ast
Al Gharafa: D.Adama 23+14reb+1ast, N.Muslic 21+10reb+3ast, K.York 16+9reb+1ast, Y.Yagoub 16+4reb+1ast, E.Ziyad 3+2reb+1ast, M.Yousuf Mohmmed 2+3reb+7ast

Al Shamal - Al Ahli D. 81-72

The biggest surprise took place in Doha where host Al Shamal (4-7) beat league's leader Al Ahli (8-3) 81-72 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Al Ahli D.. Al Shamal made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Fadi Abilmona (178-1986) who scored 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu (183-1996, college: Stony Brook) chipped in 26 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Iroegbu is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. International forward Mohammed Abbasher (198-2004) produced 14 points and 9 rebounds and American guard Bruce Massey (190-1990, college: MTSU, agency: BIG) added 8 points, 12 assists and 5 steals respectively for the guests. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Al Shamal maintains seventh place with 4-7 record. Al Ahli at the other side dropped to the second position with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Al Arabi. Al Ahli will play next round against Al Khor trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Al Shamal will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Al Sadd. It will be extra interesting game as Al Sadd is their local rival from Doha.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli D.: S.Toutziarakis 16+7reb, A.Mohammed 14+9reb+2ast, N.Seydou 12+10reb+1ast, D.Mohmoud 10+3reb+1ast, R.Simmons 9+3reb+2ast, B.Massey 8+3reb+12ast
Al Shamal: U.Iroegbu 26+5reb+3ast, A.Fadi 25+6reb+4ast, T.Harris 14+8reb+3ast, M.Fakhirah 6+3reb, S.Osayande 4+4reb+1ast, M.Talla 3+7reb+3ast

Al Sadd - Qatar Club 71-68

A very close game took place in Doha between Al Sadd and Qatar Club. Eighth ranked Al Sadd (3-8) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Qatar Club (5-6). Al Sadd managed to escape with a 3-point win 71-68 on Saturday evening. It was a great evening for American Darryl Owens who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Nigerian-American guard Kelechi Ajukwa (201-1995, college: Charlotte) helped adding 13 points and 11 rebounds. Serbian Dejan Janjic (198-1995) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and American guard Sindou Diallo (194-2000, college: Montana Tech) scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Al Sadd and four Qatar Club players scored in double figures. Al Sadd maintains eighth place with 3-8 record. Qatar Club lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. Al Sadd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Shamal.
Top scorers:
Qatar Club: S.Diallo 21+6reb+5ast, D.Janjic 16+16reb+3ast, A.Ndoye 13+5reb+1ast, F.Avdic 10+13reb+1ast, A.Abdalla Ali 6+2reb+1ast, A.Diop 2+1reb
Al Sadd: O.Darryl 21+10reb+6ast, K.Ajukwa 13+11reb+1ast, B.Dieng 13+5reb, O.Saad 11+4reb+1ast, N.Babcar 11+8reb, M.Ahmad 2+2reb

Al Wakrah - Al Arabi 60-89

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Al Arabi (9-2) smashed on the road 5th ranked Al Wakrah (6-5) 89-60 on Sunday. Al Arabi looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for center Mohamed Hussein (203-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Walter Lemon Jr (191-1992, college: Bradley) helped adding 15 points and 6 assists. Palestinian-Jordanian forward Hashem Abbaas (198-1999, college: Bridgeport) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Al Arabi maintains first place with 9-2 record. Loser Al Wakrah keeps the fifth position with five games lost. Al Arabi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Rayyan.
Top scorers:
Al Wakrah: H.Abbaas 19+11reb+2ast, D.Clark 12+7reb+6ast, G.Abdirahman 11+7reb+3ast, J.Mubarak 8+5reb+1ast, N.Mame Souleye 6+6reb, D.Djibrirou 2+6reb+1ast
Al Arabi: M.Hussein 30+5reb, W.Lemon Jr. 15+4reb+6ast, A.Khaled 9+4reb+4ast, M.Lashin 8+1reb+2ast, N.Stover 6+8reb+3ast, C.Casas 6+2reb+7ast

Al Gharafa - Al Rayyan 80-89

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Doha where 3rd placed Al Gharafa (7-5) was defeated by fourth ranked Al Rayyan (7-4) 89-80 on Sunday. Al Rayyan made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Al Rayyan outrebounded Al Gharafa 52-38 including 17 on the offensive glass. It was a great evening for Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Forward Hamad Mousa (194-2006) helped adding 27 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). The former international forward Nedim Muslic (196-1998) responded with 29 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Patrick McGlynn (188-1992, college: URI) scored 22 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Defending champion moved-up to third place. Loser Al Gharafa dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. Al Rayyan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Arabi.
Top scorers:
Al Gharafa: N.Muslic 29+7reb+1ast, P.McGlynn 22+5reb+3ast, A.Saad 14+4reb+4ast, M.Yousuf Mohmmed 5+8reb+2ast, K.York 5+6reb, D.Adama 5+8reb+1ast
Al Rayyan: M.Hamad 27+7reb+1ast, M.Faye 27+18reb+3ast, N.Griffin 22+4reb+2ast, M.Abdulla 6+4reb+2ast, A.Bobo Magassa 5+11reb+1ast, H.Aref 2+4reb