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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Point guard James Edward Justice Jr collected a match-high 26 and spearheaded Qatar Sports Club into the semi-finals of the Qatar Cup Basketball Championship on Sunday. At the Al Rayyan Club Indoor Hall, the American hit his lone three-pointer in the beginning of the third quarter and sparked his team to a pulsating 81-78 victory against Al Ahli Club.
In another match, Al Arabi Club proved more than a match for Al Sadd Club and cruised into the last four with an 80-58 romp.
Qatar Sports Club faced some tough moments before the interval as they exchanged the lead four times with Al Ahli Club and they were locked twice.
However, the trey by Justice put them ahead and Qatar Sports Club went on to open a 12-point lead in the third quarter. Al Ahli Club staged a brilliant return and came within a point of drawing equal with the opponents with point guard Abdulrahman al Muftah sinking both free throws (70-71).
Justice again guided Qatar Sports Club out of crisis. After being able to accept only one offer from the charity stripe, he got two more free throws on a personal foul by Hossam Omar and used both them to put his team four points clear.
Then Abdirahman Ibrahim Giama pulled off downtown and Qatar Sports Club then hanged on to their advantage in the remaining two plus minutes to eke out the tough victory.
Apart from Justice, Giama struck 23 points, Ibou Sarr grabbed 17 points and 14 rebounds for the winners.
For Al Ahli Club, Aleskander Mitrovic was the leading scorer with 19. Muftah had 18, Omar Ahmad added 16, while Branko Ereminov got 12 and Hossam Omar had a modest double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Al Arabi had an early eight-point charge (17-6) which sent them 12 points clear at the end of the first quarter (25-13). Then they continued to consolidate themselves in the next two quarters. Al Sadd did try to regain some ground in the final 10 minutes but the gap was far too wide for them to cover.
Forward Emmanuel Adako led Al Arabi Club with a fine double-double (20 points and 14 rebounds). He was backed up well by swingman Adamu Saaka, who had 19 points. Centre Mame Souleye Ndour and point guard Gueye Momar Tall contributed 15 and 11, respectively.
For Al Sadd, small forward Mohammed Ouiri impressed the most, garnering 19 points and 11 rebounds. Oumar Seck, Abdulrahim Ashraf Abuissa and Faris Sadikovic all had 10 points each.
Results
Qatar Sports Club beat Al Ahli Club 81-78 (halftime 39-40)
Main performers – Qatar Sports Club: James Edward Justice Jr 26 pts, Abdirahman Ibrahim Giama 23 pts, Ibou Sarr 17 pts & 14 rebounds
Al Ahli Club: Aleksander Mitrovic 19 pts, Abdulrahman al Muftah 18 pts, Omar Ahmad 16 pts, Branko Ereminov 12 pts, Hossam Omar 11 pts & 10 rebounds
Al Arabi Club beat Al Sadd Club 80-58 (halftime 43-25)
Main performers – Al Arabi Club: Emmanuel Adako 20 pts & 14 rebounds, Adamu Saaka 19 pts, Mame Souleye Ndour 15 pts, Gueye Momar Talla 11 pts
Al Sadd Club: Mohammed Ouiri 19 pts & 11 rebounds, Oumar Seck 10 pts, Abdulrahim Ashraf Abuissa 10 pts, Faris Sadikovic 10 pts
Next matches (March 22) at Al Rayyan Club Indoor Hall
5:00 pm – El Jaish vs Al Gharafa
7:00 pm – Al Rayyan vs Al Wakrah
