Berishvili leads Al Shamal to big victory over Al Gharafa
SMALL forward Mikheil Berishvili nailed his sixth trey with eight seconds left in the match and enabled holders Al Shamal Club to end Al Gharafa Club’s winning streak in the QBF League on Wednesday.
Berishvili missed a threepointer when 45 seconds were left after both teams were locked at 80-80. But guard Aaron Mitchell disposed Al Gharafa guard Theron Bussey and as point guard Georgo Tsintsadze forwarded the ball to Berishvili, he was bang on target and sank the ball in.
In the remaining time, both teams suffered two turnovers each and there was not enough time, when Al Gharafa centre Mohd Yousuf Mohammed got the ball.
It was an absorbing game with the lead exchanging hands six times. Al Shamal benefitted from their longrange shooting. Berishvili got more three-pointers than all Al Gharafa players combined. He was supported well forward Faris Avdic, whose second downtown tied the game 12th and last time.
Berishvili had 16 points before the interval, which pushed Al Shamal to open their biggest lead of 14 points at one stage (41-27). In the post-interval period, Al Gharafa rallied and finished the third quarter with a two-point advantage (61-59).
Berishvili emerged as the top-scorer with 27 points besides eight rebounds and seven assists. Avdic collected 18, Tsintsadze had 13 and Mitchell added 12. Centre Emir Mujkic had a fine double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
This was an eighth victory for Al Shamal in 11 matches and it took them to the top of the table with 19 points. It also cut short the seven-match winning run for Al Gharafa.
Forward Nelson (20 points and 13 rebounds), guard Abdulrahman Saad (19 points) and Bussey (19 points) were chief performers for Al Gharafa, who are fourth with 18 points from 11 games. Captain Mohd Yousuf Mohammed collected 13.
In another match, Al Rayyan halted their skid with a superb comeback 81-75 victory to keep their semi-finals hopes alive. Trailing most of the game, they turned it around in the closing stages and grabbed the lead to post their sixth victory.
Tony Farmer led the fightback with 23 points and 16 rebounds for the former champions Al Rayyan. Abdelrahman Abdelhaleem (19 points), Tanguy Ngombo (12 points), Eric Lockett (11 points) and Mohamed Abdelkawy (10 points) were other useful doubledigit contributors for the winners, who have 17 points in 11 matches.
For Al Wakrah, who have 19 points from eight wins in 11 games, Julius Coles was the leading scorer with 24 points. He was followed by Mohamed Ihab, whose 23 included five three-pointers, and Tevin Glass (20 points).