HALIFAX, NS – With the fall semester wrapped up, let us take a deep dive into the top-five scorers in AUS men’s basketball.
- Osman Omar
Osman Omar is comfortably averaging the most points per game this season with 25.3 points per game.
Even at this impressive scoring rate, Omar is shooting efficiently at 45.2 per cent from the field. Omar shoots an absurd 8.9 free throws per game and knocks down 81.3 per cent of them. Teams simply cannot stop Omar from scoring.
Osman is also fifth in total steals with his defensive instincts on display.
Cape Breton University sits outside of the playoffs, but the playoffs are always possible with Omar’s performances.
Some of Omar’s standout performances include his 29 points against the Memorial University of Newfoundland on Nov. 7, where Omar made 15-17 free throws. Along with Omar’s five assists, it was a fantastic game by Omar.
Omar’s most recent performance was incredible. In a 92-90 win over Saint Mary’s University, Omar dropped 41 points, nine rebounds and did it on 15-28 shooting from the field. Omar’s six overtime points came from the free-throw line, elevating CBU to a much-needed victory.
2. Cole Long
Cole Long has been absolutely dominant in the first part of his 2021-22 AUS campaign.
Standing at 6-foot-7, the big man is averaging 20.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
Although Long’s stats are impressive, he can still take his game to another level.
When comparing this season to the 2019-20 season, Long averaged 20.6 points per game on 45.1/38.2/81 shooting splits. Long is averaging the same amount of points this season but on more shot attempts.
Expect Long’s efficiency to improve as he builds on this monstrous season.
Long is leading the league in rebounds per game, is fifth in 3-pointers made and has shot the third-most free throws. Long’s 3-point shooting, combined with his height and getting to the line, makes him unstoppable.
Some of Long’s dominant performances include 37 points with 20 rebounds in a win over SMU. Long made six out of his 10 attempted 3-pointers and picked up two blocks.
Long then did it again against CBU with 35 points and 14 rebounds. In this game, Long dominated by getting to the free-throw line by making 14 free throws. Defensively, Long picked up five steals and two blocks.
3. Jace Colley
Jace Colley is third in points per game with 20.1 points per game.
Colley stands at 6-foot-7 and makes his presence known around the rim. Leading the league in blocks, players must watch out when Colley is protecting the rim.
Colley’s efficiency has been outstanding as he is shooting 55 per cent from the field.
Being able to get to the line, Colley converts his free throws at a high level. Shooting 87.5 per cent from the charity stripe, teams cannot afford to send Colley to the free-throw line.
Colley has had some fantastic performances. In a 93-82 win against the University of New Brunswick, Colley put up 28 points on 55.6 per cent shooting from the field.
The next weekend, Colley did it again against St. Francis Xavier University. Colley’s 27 points on 60 per cent shooting propelled SMU to a 96-93 win. On the defensive end, Colley protected the rim with four blocks.
4. Alex Carson
Alex Carson is possibly having his best season with 20 points per game on shooting splits of 51.1/42.2/90. His efficiency has been remarkable as expected, and Carson is fourth in 3-pointers made.
Carson was incredible in his game against SMU, in which Carson hit eight 3-pointers where he ended up with 29 points.
While Carson is an absolute marksman, he is not solely dependent on his 3-point shooting. On Nov. 6, Carson put up 27 points but only shot 1-9 from 3-point range. Carson shot 7-9 on all shots inside the arc and went 10-10 from the free-throw line as his all-around scoring was on display.
5. Qyemah Gibson
Qyemah Gibson is averaging 19.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Gibson is third in rebounds and is first in minutes played, showing his durability and intensity.
Gibson is shooting 2.3 more 3-pointers per game compared to his previous campaign and is knocking down 2.2 3-pointers per game.
Gibson’s 3-point shooting combined with his athleticism makes him ready to pop off at all times. A 34 point performance is perfect proof of this. Gibson hit six 3-pointers on Nov. 13, along with nine rebounds and two blocks.
Most recently, Gibson put up 23 points with 12 rebounds in an impressive performance against CBU.