| Guns Smoking For Ma'un |
Dec 20, 2005 |
The opening playoff game saw a cross-divisional match as Ma置n (seeded fourth in their division) face Kursi (the fifth seed in their division). Kursi came out with a full squad but Ma置n began the game with only five players as injuries have piled up during the season.
The game began with Ma置n showing flashes of their previous season's dominance as they exposed Kursi's lack of speed and poor transitional defense. The Ma置n guards kept finding the open man as they pushed the ball on fast breaks and built a quick double-digit lead. Kursi seemed unable to adapt to Ma置n's run and gun style and found themselves behind quickly. The first half ended with Ma置n leading 36-9 and seeming like they were well on their way to a blowout win.
The second half was a different story as Kursi tightened up defensively a bit and started to hit their shots. Walid Wheeler tried to carry his team back as he hit some long shots and posted up down low to score in the paint. Ma置n's poor outside shooting did not help their cause as Kursi continued to claw back. However the lead Ma置n built in the first half was too large for Kursi to overcome and the game ended with Ma置n winning 57-33. Usman Chaudary led Ma置n with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Ma置n got a balanced offensive attack as of the five players, four reached double digits in scoring. Kursi was led by Wheeler who finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Abbas Alidina who led Kursi in scoring during the regular season was held to 7 points thanks to some strong defense from Deklon Roberts.
Kursi is now eliminated from the playoffs after a competitive season. Ma置n will move on to the Elite Eight and will play Nas in the Quarterfinals. Nas finished the season undefeated but has lost players to injury, retirement and offers from overseas. These teams met in the very first game of the regular season, a game that Nas won 54-44 and something that they hope to repeat. |
