An Al Rayyan player (right) vies for the ball with his Al Gharafa counterpart during their Emir Cup basketball match at the Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid
Sports Reporter/Doha
Ayeni Olukayode’s game-high 36 points powered Al Arabi to a 93-75 win over Al Shamal in the Emir Cup basketball tournament at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall last evening.
In a striking coincidence, he scored a point for each of the 36 minutes he saw action, scoring 34 of them from field goals and two from the two of the only four free-throws his team got. Amazingly, he didn’t attempt a single three-pointer during the entire game.
Al Arabi were kept in check by Al Shamal in the first quarter at the end of which the teams were locked 15-all and for five minutes into the second period after which they were 27-all.
The similarities, however, ended there as Al Arabi went on a scoring spree after that with 14 points in next five minutes, while Al Shamal were restricted to just six as the second quarter ended 41-33.
Al Arabi then built on their lead by scoring a whopping 29 points in the third quarter to take a decisive 70-48 lead and although Al Shamal scored 27 in the final quarter it was too little too late.
Al Arabi’s most consistent performer of the season Adnad Hodzic scored 22 points while Earl Byrd had 10.
For Al Shamal, Wayne Spencer scored 26 points, while, Tyvon Williams had 23 and Jonathan Huffman 10.
In the second match of the day, Al Gharafa once again showed their class by defeating Al Rayyan 82-70.
Chasing a clean sweep after having won the league and the Qatar Cup, Al Gharafa overcame their rivals with a splendid display in the final two quarters after trailing in the first two (16-21 and 31-38).
Ward Spates was the leading scorer for Al Gharafa with 29 points, which included 15 off three-pointers. Adako Osaro scored 20 and Larry Blair had 17, with 12 from three-pointers.
Desean Jones excelled for Al Rayyan, while Colin Allred had 12.
Today Al Wakrah play Qatar Sports Club at 5pm followed by Al Sadd and El Jaish at 7pm.
