| Repeat Beating? |
Jan 20, 2008 |
Last week in the final week of regular season play these teams faced each other and Asr was given a beat down, losing 46-29. Needless to say, Bayyina entered this game very confident of moving on to the next round. For Asr, unlike last last game, they would have to find more help for Jason and Tal in order to win this game.
From the onset, it seemed that Asr’s veteran-laden team knew that it was playoff time and would ensure a respectable game. Early on the game was close and tied 7-7. Jibran hit a trey to end a 5-minute scoring drought by either team in the game to give Bayyina the lead 10-7. Asr’s Tal then hit a three to tie the game back at 10. Bayyina went on a run and found themselves up 17-10 forcing Asr to call a timeout. After the timeout, Reza finally got Asr a basket to end a 9-0 run. The first half ended with Bayyina only up 19-14 in an offence-starved game.
Jibran opened the 2nd half with his 4th foul just 10 seconds in, re-affirming his consistent hacker-leader status. Asr’s veterans must have sensed the game was their’s for the taking during half-time and stormed back to take the lead just 5 minutes into the 2nd half at 22-21. Bayyina called a timeout at the 5:30 mark hoping to get things back on track.
Here comes the see-saw recap of the game: Mishaal hits a short jumper to give his team the lead at 23-22. Najeeb then hit 2 free throws to regain the lead 26-25. Jason hit a short jumper to cut the lead to 30-28 with 1:44 remaining. Jason then ties the game at 30-30 with 1:35 remaining. Jibran, who up to this point somehow managed to stay in the game, finally did the inevitable and fouled out with 55 seconds left, but Jason missed the FTs. Mohsin then hit a jumper to give Bayyina the 32-30 lead. The pressure started getting to players as Jason travelled and turned over the ball with 19 seconds left, forcing teammate Tahir Rana to commit the foul and foul out with 18 seconds left. The game ended with Rahyl hitting 1 of 2 free throws but getting his own rebound with 10 seconds left and running out the clock.
This game was similar to last game. Bayyina really only got scoring from David and Mishaal while Asr gave no help to Jason and Tal. Despite all that, Asr had a real chance to win this game, but missed opportunities were key; particularly at the free throw line as Asr went 2-12, with Jason going 0-8 (making him a combined 0-11 over the last 2 meetings between these teams, and his team as a whole 5-22 from the FT line over the last 2 games).
Bayyina moves on to face Inshirah, while Asr goes back to the lab and looks to regroup for next season. |
