National League Round 4 (Regular Season): First victory of Almaty L.

There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of National League and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Almaty L.'s fans can celebrate the first win of their team after two consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Irtysh (0-5) 87-66 on Monday. Almaty L. forced 22 Irtysh turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Irtysh helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Russian forward Hasan Kipkeev (200-2000) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Forward Nikita Timofeev (199-1998) contributed with 20 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) replied with 15 points, 6 assists and 4 steals for Irtysh. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Almaty L. maintains sixth position with 1-2 record. It was Irtysh's fifth loss in a row. Irtysh at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with five games lost. Almaty L. are again looking forward to face bottom-ranked Irtysh (#8) in Pavlodar in the next round. Irtysh will play at home against Barsy Atyrau and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Irtysh is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fifth consecutive match to top-ranked Irbis (4-0) 83-66. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Marcus Myers (185-1996, college: Aurora, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals and Lorenzo Anderson who added 21 points during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) responded with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Irbis have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Aktobe. Newly promoted Irtysh still closes the standings with five games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irtysh will play at home against Barsy Atyrau (#3) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Irtysh is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fifth consecutive match to top-ranked Irbis (4-0) 96-83 on Saturday evening. The winners were led by Robert Pan who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds. Even 36 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists by Keshon Tabb did not help to save the game for Irtysh. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Irbis have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Aktobe. Newly promoted Irtysh still closes the standings with five games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irtysh will play against Barsy Atyrau (#3) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.



Irbis - Irtysh 83-66

Bottom-ranked Irtysh is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fifth consecutive match to top-ranked Irbis (4-0) 83-66. Irbis dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Irtysh's 30. Irbis forced 22 Irtysh turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Marcus Myers (185-1996, college: Aurora, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals and the other American import guard Lorenzo Anderson (190-2000, college: Peru St.) who added 21 points during the contest. Four Irbis players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) responded with 17 points and 8 rebounds and forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Irbis have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Aktobe. Newly promoted Irtysh still closes the standings with five games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irtysh will play at home against Barsy Atyrau (#3) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Irbis: L.Anderson 21+2reb, M.Myers 20+6reb+4ast, N.Bazhin 15+4reb+3ast, R.Pan 13+7reb+2ast, N.Giga 6+8reb+2ast, A.Zhigulin 6+6reb
Irtysh: K.Tabb 17+8reb+2ast, N.Gushchin 11+3reb, A.Nazim 10+10reb+1ast, B.Vadim 7+3reb+1ast, S.Meyrambek 7+2ast, I.Ruslan 6+3reb+1ast

Irbis - Irtysh 96-83

Bottom-ranked Irtysh is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fifth consecutive match to top-ranked Irbis (4-0) 96-83 on Saturday evening. Irbis made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Irbis outrebounded Irtysh 52-28 including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by international center Robert Pan (202-1995) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds and American point guard Marcus Myers (185-1996, college: Aurora, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Irbis players scored in double figures. Even 36 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists by American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) did not help to save the game for Irtysh. Forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) added 14 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Irbis have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Aktobe. Newly promoted Irtysh still closes the standings with five games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irtysh will play against Barsy Atyrau (#3) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Irbis: R.Pan 22+18reb, M.Myers 19+5reb+8ast, L.Anderson 16+6reb+2ast, A.Zhigulin 13+7reb+1ast, N.Giga 10+9reb+4ast, N.Bazhin 6+2reb+2ast
Irtysh: K.Tabb 36+7reb+6ast, A.Nazim 14+6reb, I.Ruslan 9+3reb, S.Meyrambek 7+6ast, B.Vadim 5+3reb+2ast, Z.Shakhnazar 4+4reb+2ast

Almaty L. - Irtysh 87-66

Almaty L.'s fans can celebrate the first win of their team after two consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Irtysh (0-5) 87-66 on Monday. Almaty L. forced 22 Irtysh turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Irtysh helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Russian forward Hasan Kipkeev (200-2000) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Forward Nikita Timofeev (199-1998) contributed with 20 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Four Almaty L. players scored in double figures. American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) replied with 15 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) added 10 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Irtysh. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Almaty L. maintains sixth position with 1-2 record. It was Irtysh's fifth loss in a row. Irtysh at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with five games lost. Almaty L. are again looking forward to face bottom-ranked Irtysh (#8) in Pavlodar in the next round. Irtysh will play at home against Barsy Atyrau and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: N.Timofeev 20+9reb+1ast, K.Hasan 18+5reb+7ast, A.Chilikin 12+7reb+2ast, S.Stanislav 10+4reb+4ast, S.Daniil 8+4reb+6ast, G.Platon 6+2reb+1ast
Irtysh: K.Tabb 15+2reb+6ast, N.Gushchin 13+4reb+1ast, A.Nazim 10+11reb+1ast, I.Ruslan 7+6reb+1ast, S.Meyrambek 6+4reb+2ast, I.Ali 5+4reb+2ast