QBL Round 18 (Regular Season): #1 Al Rayyan is defeated by Al Ahli

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Al Rayyan (14-2) in Doha on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Al Ahli (11-5) 76-64. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Al Rayyan. International forward Mohammed Abbasher (198-2004) had a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and international guard Mahmoud Darwish (191-2003) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was international center Tyler Harris (208-1993, college: Auburn) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds. Al Ahli have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 11-5 record having just three points less than leader Al Rayyan. Al Rayyan at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Al Arabi (#2) and Al Sadd (#4). Al Sadd was defeated at home 75-89 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) notched 30 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and Mustafa Ali supported him with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds by American guard Steven Green (196-1993, college: OKBU) did not help to save the game for Al Sadd. Al Arabi (13-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position behind leader Al Rayyan. Al Sadd at the other side keeps the fourth place with six games lost.
9th ranked Al Khor (1-14) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Al Shamal (7-9) with the biggest margin this round 108-82 on Monday night. The best player for the winners was Oussama Abdenacer who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds and 9 blocks (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Lazar Trunic who recorded a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. Al Shamal maintains sixth position with 7-9 record. Al Khor lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 14 games lost.

The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists by Deng Adel of Al Sadd.



Al Ahli D. - Al Rayyan 76-64

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Al Rayyan (14-2) in Doha on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Al Ahli (11-5) 76-64. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Al Rayyan. International forward Mohammed Abbasher (198-2004) had a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and international guard Mahmoud Darwish (191-2003) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was international center Tyler Harris (208-1993, college: Auburn) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds and American Rion Brown (198, college: Miami, FL) scored 16 points. Five Al Ahli and four Al Rayyan players scored in double figures. Al Ahli have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 11-5 record having just three points less than leader Al Rayyan. Al Rayyan at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Rayyan: T.Harris 21+14reb+1ast, R.Brown 16+4reb+2ast, M.Abdulla 11+1reb+4ast, B.Dieng 10+5reb+2ast, R.Freimanis 6+7reb+3ast, B.Aodhan 0
Al Ahli D.: R.Raekwon 20+2reb+2ast, M.Darwish 14+7reb+3ast, J.Nigel 13+3reb+5ast, M.Abbasher 11+12reb+4ast, A.Taylor 10+10reb+2ast, Y.Yagoub 8+1reb+3ast

Al Khor - Al Shamal 82-108

9th ranked Al Khor (1-14) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Al Shamal (7-9) with the biggest margin this round 108-82 on Monday night. Al Shamal dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khor's 48. Al Shamal looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Al Khor's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Shamal made 10 blocks. The best player for the winners was Oussama Abdenacer who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds and 9 blocks (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). American guard Shane Rector (188-1994, college: Utah St.) chipped in 24 points and 9 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Five Al Shamal players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Italian-Serbian Lazar Trunic (198-2000) who recorded a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds and American point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) added 22 points and 5 assists respectively. Al Shamal maintains sixth position with 7-9 record. Al Khor lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 14 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Khor: L.Trunic 33+11reb+2ast, J.Jones 22+4reb+5ast, N.Karim 11+3reb, A.Adam 7+2reb+1ast, D.Abdoukhader 6+10reb+3ast, D.Djibrirou 3+9reb+2ast
Al Shamal: C.Tyree 29+3reb+2ast, O.Abdenacer 26+16reb, R.Shane 24+3reb+9ast, G.Hajar 14+5reb+3ast, B.Troy 10+6reb+9ast, A.Ndoye 5+2reb+1ast

Al Sadd - Al Arabi 75-89

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Al Arabi (#2) and Al Sadd (#4). Al Sadd was defeated at home 75-89 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) notched 30 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and Bahrain point guard Mustafa Ali (177-2002) supported him with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds by American guard Steven Green (196-1993, college: OKBU) did not help to save the game for Al Sadd. South Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Adel (201-1997, college: Louisville) added 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Al Arabi (13-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position behind leader Al Rayyan. Al Sadd at the other side keeps the fourth place with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Sadd: S.Green 24+14reb+1ast, D.Adel 19+13reb+4ast, F.Moustafa 14+2reb+4ast, S.Omar 5, C.Bratsiakos 5+4reb+1ast, A.Ahmed 3
Al Arabi: E.Kikanovic 30+9reb+1ast, A.Mustafa 21+6reb+3ast, B.Dee 14+8reb+6ast, A.Saeed 9+4reb, K.Roushdy 8+6reb+5ast, O.Dieng 5+6reb+1ast