CAIRO: Although few Egyptians were watching the opening day of the NCAA basketball tournament on Thursday, an Egyptian-American led small California-based St. Mary’s to a tournament upset. Omar Samhan, the star player for the West Coast Conference player, dominated the first round match-up against Richmond, advancing the Gaels to the next stage.

Samhan had 29 points and 12 rebounds and although he spent much of the game in foul trouble, his fellow teammates had enough support to allow Saint Mary’s to pull away for an 80-71 victory.

“They didn’t have a matchup for Samhan,” said Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett to ESPN.

Samhan scored the first 10 points for the Gaels, who struggle to put away the Spiders in the first half. But, it was Samhan who kept them in the game and eventually made enough shots to push the Gaels to a comfortable victory.

Back in Cairo, a few Americans were questioning where Samhan’s name came from early on, then were given an explanation for the American’s Arabic name. His father is Egyptian.

“It is cool they did a highlight of him with the song Sandman in the background to kind of link his name with something musical,” said one viewer. “I mean, his play was musical.”

“For some reason this season, I’ve been finding myself in foul trouble a lot,” said Samhan, who fouled out six times this year after doing it just three times in the previous three. “You have to play smart. Coach was fired up at me, and I was trying hard not to get any in the second half.”

In the end, if college sports are to pick up in the Middle East, it will be players like Omar Samhan who will be able to bridge the gap. Egypt has a basketball history and their own professional league, featuring a number of foreign, including American, players.

It is a matter of time, some believe, before college basketball will get to the Middle East.

They say there is more talent like Samhan here in this region. But for now, Samhan will be focusing on the second round, and the ultimate dream of playing in the Final Four.

BM

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