Peterson, Ibrahim star as Orthodox Amman drag Al Riyadi to Game 3
AMMAN (Jordan) - Brandon Peterson and Freddy Ibrahim were the 1-2 punch Orthodox Amman needed to take down Al Riyadi, 105-95, and bring their WASL-West Asia Qualification to Semi-Finals to the distance, Thursday night.
Peterson led the way with a season-high 34 points and 9 rebounds with 3 steals, while Ibrahim flirted with a triple-double with 26 markers, 8 boards, and 12 assists with 6 steals as the two helped make sure that their season won't end yet.
They joined hands in putting the game away for good in the final period, much to the delight of the home crowd at the Prince Hamza Sport Hall as they witnessed their team drag the Lebanese powerhouse to a Game 3 next week.
Series returns to Beirut for the do-or-die affair, with the triumphant side set to figure in a best-of-3 joust against Beirut Club in the semis.
Game heroes: It wasn't just the aforementioned two who made the victory possible, with Darrin Dorsey delivering as usual with his own double-double of 17 points and 11 assists, together with 3 rebounds, a steal, and a block for a full line.
Ashraf Alhendi chimed in 12 markers and 3 caroms as four of the five starters finished in double figures for the team of Coach Harry Savaya.
STEP AHEAD Player of the Game: Ibrahim earned STEP AHEAD Player of the Game honors for his all-around outing.
Turning point: The Jordanian crew was clinging to a slim five-point lead until Ibrahim found Peterson for a post jumper, and Dorsey shortly after helped out in what would be a 6-0 run towards a 96-85 lead with under four minutes left to play.
That surge were enough to take the wind out of Al Riyadi's sails as Orthodox bounced back in the best of ways after receiving a 102-83 beating in the series opener.
Stats don't lie: Orthodox Amman shot 56-percent from the floor, big thanks to their 29 assists. But it was also their defense that keyed the win, racking up 14 steals thar attributed hugely to the 17 turnovers Al Riyadi committed.
FIBA