National League Round 18 (Regular Season): Aktobe defeat Barsy Atyrau in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the National League took place in Atyrau. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-best Barsy Atyrau (13-5) to fifth ranked Aktobe (9-9) 76-75 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Barsy Atyrau. Aktobe forced 20 Barsy Atyrau turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international forward Konstantin Neff (198-1997) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Shakir Smith (185-1992, college: ASU) chipped in 19 points and 10 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: Interperformances) with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Barsy Atyrau's coach Tigran Gyokchyan tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Aktobe maintains fifth position with 9-9 record. Barsy Atyrau at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Fourth ranked Astana Ac. (10-8) crushed at home 8th ranked Irtysh (1-17) by 29 points 101-72, which is the biggest margin this round. Guard Muhammedali Sayranov (194-2004) notched 17 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and Sardal Abashidze supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds by forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) did not help to save the game 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 Astana Ac. maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Irtysh lost sixth consecutive game. Irtysh at the other side, also newcomer in the league, stay dead last with 17 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 18 bottom-ranked Irtysh was destroyed by Astana Ac. on the opponent's court 90-68. Barsy Atyrau managed to outperform Aktobe in a home game 91-85.



Astana Ac. - Irtysh 90-68

Very expected game when 8th ranked Irtysh (1-17) was crushed on the road by fourth ranked Astana Ac. (10-8) 90-68. Astana Ac. forced 23 Irtysh turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Irtysh's players. Russian Valeriy Likhodey (205-1986) notched 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Russian center Igor Kanygin (207-1994, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) supported him with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Even 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals 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 11 points and 14 rebounds. 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 Astana Ac. maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Irtysh lost sixth consecutive game. Irtysh at the other side, also newcomer in the league, stay dead last with 17 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Astana Ac.: V.Likhodey 16+6reb+4ast, Y.Alizhan 11+2reb, A.Sardal 11+1reb+2ast, S.Amirali 10+6reb+3ast, I.Kanygin 9+7reb+3ast, I.Vladislav 8+2reb+3ast
Irtysh: K.Tabb 24+5reb+4ast, A.Nazim 11+14reb+2ast, I.Ali 8+4reb+4ast, N.Gushchin 8+4reb+3ast, B.Vadim 6+2reb+1ast, S.Meyrambek 4+1ast

Barsy Atyrau - Aktobe 91-85

Rather predictable result when second ranked Barsy Atyrau (13-5) defeated at home 5th ranked Aktobe (9-9) 91-85. Barsy Atyrau players were unselfish on offense dishing 33 assists. Aktobe was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American forward Jamaure Gregg (201-1999, college: NSU) notched 30 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: Interperformances) supported him with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Barsy Atyrau's coach Tigran Gyokchyan allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 27 points and 7 assists by American point guard Shakir Smith (185-1992, college: ASU) did not help to save the game for Aktobe. The former international forward Konstantin Neff (198-1997) added 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Barsy Atyrau have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-5 record despite having the same number of points like the leader Irbis. Aktobe at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Barsy Atyrau: J.Gregg 30+7reb+1ast, V.Hendrix 14+12reb+3ast, J.Garrett 12+3reb+10ast, V.Ivanov 9+7reb+1ast, M.Uapov 6+2reb+4ast, O.Akylbek 5+1ast
Aktobe: S.Smith 27+4reb+7ast, K.Neff 18+10reb+5ast, J.Williams 15+8reb+2ast, B.Nazmutdinov 11+3reb+1ast, B.Sergei 7+7reb+4ast, V.Petrishinets 4+10reb+2ast

Astana Ac. - Irtysh 101-72

Fourth ranked Astana Ac. (10-8) crushed at home 8th ranked Irtysh (1-17) by 29 points 101-72, which is the biggest margin this round. Astana Ac. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Irtysh's 30. Astana Ac. forced 19 Irtysh turnovers and outrebounded them 53-35 including a 20-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Astana Ac. players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. Irtysh was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Muhammedali Sayranov (194-2004) notched 17 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and forward Sardal Abashidze (196-2002) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds by forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) did not help to save the game for Irtysh. American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. 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 Astana Ac. maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Irtysh lost sixth consecutive game. Irtysh at the other side, also newcomer in the league, stay dead last with 17 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Astana Ac.: S.Muhammedali 17+6reb+1ast, A.Sardal 15+6reb+2ast, M.Zahar 10+3reb+1ast, S.Amirali 9+3reb+3ast, I.Kanygin 9+7reb+1ast, Y.Alizhan 9+9reb+2ast
Irtysh: K.Tabb 19+5reb+4ast, A.Nazim 14+13reb+2ast, S.Meyrambek 12+3reb+2ast, B.Vadim 9+4reb+2ast, I.Ali 6+3reb+5ast, N.Gushchin 6+2reb

Barsy Atyrau - Aktobe 75-76

The most exciting game of round 18 in the National League took place in Atyrau. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-best Barsy Atyrau (13-5) to fifth ranked Aktobe (9-9) 76-75 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Barsy Atyrau. Aktobe forced 20 Barsy Atyrau turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international forward Konstantin Neff (198-1997) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Shakir Smith (185-1992, college: ASU) chipped in 19 points and 10 assists during the contest. Four Aktobe players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: Interperformances) with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import point guard Jarvis Garrett (182-1995, college: URI) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 assists. Barsy Atyrau's coach Tigran Gyokchyan tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Aktobe maintains fifth position with 9-9 record. Barsy Atyrau at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Aktobe: S.Smith 19+3reb+10ast, J.Williams 19+8reb+1ast, K.Neff 18+10reb+6ast, V.Petrishinets 12+3reb, A.Marat 3+3reb+1ast, A.Papshiv 3+9reb+2ast
Barsy Atyrau: V.Hendrix 21+10reb+5ast, V.Ivanov 15+6reb, J.Garrett 14+3reb+10ast, R.Bogdan 8+5reb+5ast, T.Timur 8+5reb+5ast, J.Gregg 4+3reb+1ast