National League Round 19 (Regular Season): Irbis edge Almaty L. by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 19 in the National League took place in Almaty. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 3rd placed Almaty L. (15-8) to first ranked Irbis (19-4) 78-77 on Monday evening. Irbis made 26-of-31 free shots (83.9 percent) during the game. Irbis outrebounded Almaty L. 43-32 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. 28 personal fouls committed by Almaty L. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Alphonso Willis (188-1998, college: A&M-Commerce, agency: Highlight Athletes) fired 13 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The former international center Dmitriy Gavrilov (204-1986) chipped in 16 points (made all of his eight free throws). International point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) produced 21 points and 6 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Irbis have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-4 record. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Astana. Local Astana Ac. (10-16) beat 7th ranked Irtysh (6-22) 82-68. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Amirali Suleimenov (192-2003) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Ruslan Aitkali contributed with 23 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Ziven Clark (183, college: King) answered with 16 points and 9 rebounds for Irtysh. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astana Ac. maintains sixth place with 10-16 record. Irtysh at the other side keeps the seventh position with 22 games lost.

In the last game of round 19 Irtysh defeated Astana Ac. in Pavlodar 70-66.



Astana Ac. - Irtysh 66-70

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 6th ranked Astana Ac. (10-16) was defeated at home by seventh ranked Irtysh (6-22) 70-66. Astana Ac. was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points and 20 rebounds. American point guard Ziven Clark (183, college: King) contributed with 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Ruslan Aitkali (195-1997) answered with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 13 rebounds and guard Amirali Suleimenov (192-2003) added 7 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Astana Ac.Astana Ac.'s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Irtysh maintains seventh place with 6-22 record. Astana Ac. lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Irtysh: N.Adylbekov 28+20reb+2ast, M.Shamuratov 12+3reb+3ast, Z.Clark 11+8reb+3ast, V.Bagrov 9+4reb+1ast, A.Isagulov 8+5reb+8ast, A.Yurkov 2+4reb
Astana Ac.: R.Aitkali 28+13reb+3ast, V.Dots 9+1reb+2ast, A.Suleimenov 7+8reb+5ast, V.Simonov 5+2reb, A.Zhandarbek 4+6reb, A.Amangeldinov 4+2reb+4ast

Astana Ac. - Irtysh 82-68

The game with biggest result difference took place in Astana. Local Astana Ac. (10-16) beat 7th ranked Irtysh (6-22) 82-68. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Amirali Suleimenov (192-2003) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. The former international forward Ruslan Aitkali (195-1997) contributed with 23 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Ziven Clark (183, college: King) answered with 16 points and 9 rebounds and guard Ali Isagulov (186-2004) added 10 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Irtysh. Four Irtysh players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astana Ac. maintains sixth place with 10-16 record. Irtysh at the other side keeps the seventh position with 22 games lost.
Top scorers:
Astana Ac.: R.Aitkali 23+6reb+2ast, A.Suleimenov 19+11reb+10ast, I.Pestov 13+2reb, Z.Medovskoy 7+2reb+2ast, A.Zhandarbek 6+5reb+2ast, V.Dots 6
Irtysh: N.Adylbekov 16+5reb+1ast, Z.Clark 16+9reb+2ast, M.Shamuratov 13+5reb+2ast, A.Isagulov 10+5reb+10ast, N.Gushchin 7+2reb+1ast, I.Onishchenko 2+1reb

Almaty L. - Irbis 77-78

The most exciting game of round 19 in the National League took place in Almaty. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 3rd placed Almaty L. (15-8) to first ranked Irbis (19-4) 78-77 on Monday evening. Irbis made 26-of-31 free shots (83.9 percent) during the game. Irbis outrebounded Almaty L. 43-32 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. 28 personal fouls committed by Almaty L. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Alphonso Willis (188-1998, college: A&M-Commerce, agency: Highlight Athletes) fired 13 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The former international center Dmitriy Gavrilov (204-1986) chipped in 16 points (made all of his eight free throws). Four Irbis players scored in double figures. International point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) produced 21 points and 6 assists and American point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) added 17 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Irbis have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-4 record. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Irbis: D.Gavrilov 16+4reb+2ast, A.Kozyrkin 14+2reb+1ast, A.Willis 13+9reb+5ast, M.Douglas 12+8reb, I.Konysov 9+1reb, A.Marat 8+3reb+1ast
Almaty L.: D.Severgin 21+2reb+6ast, K.Tabb 17+2reb+3ast, S.Sakhipov 11+3ast, P.Gritchin 8+6reb, D.Sviridov 7+11reb+3ast, N.Timofeev 4+5reb