Mohamed Harat scored a match-high 25 points as Al Shamal beat Al Arabi 80-77 to win the Qatar Men’s League basketball tournament
yesterday.
In a thrilling match, Mansour Elhadary and Omar Abdelkadeer Salem also chipped in with 15 points each to help Al Shamal overcome a five-point deficit with five minutes remaining for the hooter. Of Elhadery’s 15 points, 12 came via three-pointers, while Salem also shot thrice from the three-point mark from four attempts.
There was precious little to choose from between the two teams as Al Shamal just about maintained a slight edge – leading 19-18 and 37-36 after the first two periods.
In a match that saw the lead change 12 times, Al Arabi drew level at 55-55 at the end of the third quarter and took a 68-63 lead, five minutes into the final period.
But Al Shamal came up with a fine rear-guard action, scoring a whopping 17 points in the final five minutes to clinch victory.
In the corresponding period, Al Arabi were restricted to just 11 points, which proved their undoing.
Oumar Seck and Kevin Galloway excelled for Al Arabi with 22 points each, while William Byrd had 14. In an earlier match, Qatar Sports Club beat Al Sadd 92-85 to take third place.
Al Shamal players and officials celebrate with the trophy after winning the Qatar Men’s League basketball yesterday.
