Al Arabi, Rayyan begin campaign with victories

Al Rayyan’s Yaseen Musa attempts to score against Al Shamal in the Emir’s Cup basketball tournament yesterday.

Sports Reporter/DohaAdnad Hodzic top-scored with 28 points as Al Arabi began their Emir’s Cup campaign with a 79-70 victory over Al Ahli at the Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday.Al Arabi bounced back from 20-17 down in the first quarter to match Al Ahli point for point and managed a narrow 40-38 lead at the end of the second period.The third quarter was even more fiercely fought with the teams tied at 56-56 but Al Arabi produced a much-improved show to edge their neighbourhood rivals by nine points.Olukayode Ayeni scored 14 points for the winners, while Earl Byrd had 10. For Al Ahli Ndyae Hassino was the leading scorer with 23 points, with Alvin Mofuanaya (16) and Vitti Barsiyak (13) providing able support.“It’s great to start a tournament with a win,” Al Arabi coach Hatem Mamlouk said. “It was a very tough match but we played very well in the final quarter and that clinched the issue for us. All credit to the boys.”In the second match of the day, Al Rayyan outclassed Al Shamal 82-66 with Jermareo Davidson top-scoring with 18. Three Al Rayyan players – Collin Allred, Desean Jones and Boney Watson – finished with 14 points apiece for the winners.Al Rayyan, looking for their first title of the Qatari season, led throughout the match, building up a 62-46 advantage by the end of the third period. That proved handy as they ended up winning by 16 points.Al Shamal’s Jonathan Huffman top-scored for either team with 20 points but still finished on the losing side. Tyvon Williams and Tommy Smith scored 13 apiece for Al Shamal.Al Khor play Al Wakrah at 5pm followed by a match between  El Jaish and Qatar Sports Club at 7pm.