National League Round 14 (Regular Season): Irbis keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Irbis as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Irbis smashed 8th ranked Irtysh in Almaty 105-74. Irbis outrebounded Irtysh 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Irbis looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Jalon Perry (185-1998, college: Faulkner) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Myles Douglas (203-1998, college: Morgan St.) contributed with 26 points for the winners. Forward Alexey Alyonushka (190-1995) replied with 20 points and 8 rebounds 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. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Irtysh lost ninth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Irtysh will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Irbis will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Barsy Atyrau at home.
An interesting game for Almaty L. (12-5) which hosted in Almaty one of their biggest challengers Barsy Atyrau (10-6). Third ranked Almaty L. managed to get a 9-point victory 105-96. The former international point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Nikita Fedchenko chipped in 27 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. American guard Ashton Spears (188-1997, college: St.Edward's) responded with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Almaty L. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 12-5 record having just two points less than leader Irbis. Barsy Atyrau lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with six games lost. Almaty L. will again play against Barsy Atyrau (#4) at home in the next round. Barsy Atyrau will play against the league's leader Irbis in Almaty and hopes to get back on the winning track.
National League top team - Tobol (14-4) had no problems winning another game on Tuesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Caspiy Aktau (8-12) 71-55. Anton Bykov notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 21 rebounds to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 22 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks by LaDarius Marshall did not help to save the game for Caspiy Aktau. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tobol have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Despite that victory Tobol went down to second position due to points difference. Caspiy Aktau at the other side keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. Tobol will meet at home Astana Ac. (#6) in the next round. Caspiy Aktau will play against Aktobe and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 14 bottom-ranked Irtysh was smashed by Irbis on the road 96-64.



Caspiy Aktau - Tobol 55-71

National League top team - Tobol (14-4) had no problems winning another game on Tuesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Caspiy Aktau (8-12) 71-55. Tobol forced 22 Caspiy Aktau turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 21 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) supported him with 11 points and 9 assists. Four Tobol players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 22 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks by American power forward LaDarius Marshall (201-1999, college: Alcorn St.) did not help to save the game for Caspiy Aktau. Guard Zhanibek Dzhakauov (172-2002) added 8 points and 5 assists for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tobol have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Despite that victory Tobol went down to second position due to points difference. Caspiy Aktau at the other side keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. Tobol will meet at home Astana Ac. (#6) in the next round. Caspiy Aktau will play against Aktobe and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tobol: A.Bykov 19+21reb+2ast, A.Bitenov 12+2reb+4ast, S.Kuanov 11+2reb+9ast, K.Dvirnyi 10+3reb+1ast, R.Urazbaev 6+1reb+1ast, P.Ilyin 5+5reb+1ast
Caspiy Aktau: L.Marshall 22+13reb+4ast, A.Rolgeyzer 11+3reb+2ast, Z.Dzhakauov 8+3reb+5ast, R.Marchuk 4+4reb+1ast, A.Nurlybay 3+2reb, M.Marchuk 3+8reb+4ast

Irbis - Irtysh 105-74

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Irbis as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Irbis smashed 8th ranked Irtysh in Almaty 105-74. Irbis outrebounded Irtysh 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Irbis looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Jalon Perry (185-1998, college: Faulkner) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Myles Douglas (203-1998, college: Morgan St.) contributed with 26 points for the winners. Forward Alexey Alyonushka (190-1995) replied with 20 points and 8 rebounds and guard Ali Isagulov (186-2004) added 21 points and 4 assists 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. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Irtysh lost ninth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Irtysh will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Irbis will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Barsy Atyrau at home.
Top scorers:
Irbis: M.Douglas 26+4reb+1ast, J.Perry 22+10reb+5ast, K.Tabb 19+7reb+2ast, D.Seleznyov 9+5reb+4ast, N.Bazhin 7+6reb+4ast, D.Gavrilov 7+5reb+2ast
Irtysh: A.Isagulov 21+1reb+4ast, A.Alyonushka 20+8reb+1ast, Z.Clark 10+4reb+1ast, N.Adylbekov 8+8reb, V.Bagrov 6+2reb+1ast, R.Izmaylov 5+3reb+1ast

Irbis - Irtysh 96-64

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Irbis (14-3) crushed bottom-ranked Irtysh (3-19) in Almaty 96-64 on Thursday. Irbis made 17-of-17 free shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. They also forced 19 Irtysh turnovers. Irbis looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Irtysh's players. American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) notched 20 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Jalon Perry (185-1998, college: Faulkner) supported him with 18 points and 6 assists. Tabb is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Irbis players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds by forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) did not help to save the game for Irtysh. American point guard Ziven Clark (183, college: King) added 12 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Irtysh lost ninth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Irbis will meet at home Barsy Atyrau (#4) in the next round. Irtysh will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Irbis: K.Tabb 20+4reb+4ast, M.Douglas 20+5reb+1ast, J.Perry 18+3reb+6ast, D.Gavrilov 10+10reb, V.Fabrikantov 7+3reb, R.Valiyev 6+2ast
Irtysh: N.Adylbekov 18+10reb+2ast, A.Alyonushka 12+5reb+2ast, Z.Clark 12+6reb+3ast, A.Isagulov 7+3reb+3ast, V.Bagrov 6, M.Shamuratov 5+1ast

Almaty L. - Barsy Atyrau 105-96

An interesting game for Almaty L. (12-5) which hosted in Almaty one of their biggest challengers Barsy Atyrau (10-6). Third ranked Almaty L. managed to get a 9-point victory 105-96. Almaty L. made 26-of-32 charity shots (81.3 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Barsy Atyrau was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) chipped in 27 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. American guard Ashton Spears (188-1997, college: St.Edward's) responded with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import Keith Charleston (203-1995, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Bell Basketball) scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Almaty L. and four Barsy Atyrau players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Almaty L. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 12-5 record having just two points less than leader Irbis. Barsy Atyrau lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with six games lost. Almaty L. will again play against Barsy Atyrau (#4) at home in the next round. Barsy Atyrau will play against the league's leader Irbis in Almaty and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: N.Fedchenko 27+6reb+1ast, D.Severgin 24+3reb+13ast, S.Sakhipov 19+3reb+6ast, D.Sviridov 12+7reb, N.Timofeev 11+5reb+3ast, D.Albrant 8+5reb
Barsy Atyrau: A.Spears 22+6reb+4ast, K.Charleston 18+7reb+4ast, A.Ermakov 13+4reb+3ast, A.Marat 12+1ast, R.Samsin 10+7reb, T.Tangiev 9+4reb