National League Round 20 (Regular Season): Tobol defeat Irbis

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Irbis (20-5) in Kostanay on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Tobol (19-7) 83-69. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Tobol outrebounded Irbis 46-27 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tobol looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by Irbis' players. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) contributed with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners. The former international forward Nikolay Bazhin (198-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for Irbis. Irbis' coach Ramunas Cvirka rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tobol maintains second position with 19-7 record behind leader Irbis. Defending champion Irbis still keep top place with five games lost. Tobol are looking forward to face Almaty L. (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Irbis will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Kostanay. First ranked Irbis (20-5) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-ranked Tobol (19-7) 85-84 in the game for the first place. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Alexandr Zhigulin (205-1994) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 5 rebounds and Tahj Small who added 12 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 assists. Defending champion maintains first position with 20-5 record. Tobol at the other side keeps the second place with seven games lost. Irbis' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Almaty .
The game between one of their biggest challengers Barsy Atyrau (14-12) and fifth ranked Caspiy Aktau (14-14) in Atyrau on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Aktau outscored Barsy Atyrau 85-60. The winners were led by Maxim Marchuk who scored that evening 14 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Even 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by Aibolat Omarov did not help to save the game for Barsy Atyrau. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Caspiy Aktau have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 14-14 record. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the fourth place with 12 games lost.

In the last game of round 20 Caspiy Aktau beat Barsy Atyrau on the road 71-62.



Barsy Atyrau - Caspiy Aktau 62-71

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifth ranked Caspiy Aktau (14-14) beat on the road one of their biggest challengers Barsy Atyrau (14-12) 71-62 on Friday. Caspiy Aktau outrebounded Barsy Atyrau 41-30 including 31 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by the former international forward Roman Marchuk (198-1993) who scored that evening 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American point guard Cameron Campbell (193, college: WSSU) supported him with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Aaron Ridley III (197, college: Cumberland) did not help to save the game for Barsy Atyrau. Forward Aibolat Omarov (197-2006) added 15 points and 9 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Barsy Atyrau's coach Alexandr Lyssyak tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Caspiy Aktau have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 14-14 record. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the fourth place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Barsy Atyrau: A.Ridley III 21+6reb+2ast, A.Omarov 15+9reb+2ast, A.Oralbekov 10+3reb+2ast, M.Kazimov 10+2reb, A.Ermakov 3+1reb+3ast, M.Uapov 3+1reb+2ast
Caspiy Aktau: R.Marchuk 19+7reb+4ast, M.Marchuk 14+9reb+4ast, C.Campbell 13+11reb+4ast, L.Marshall 13+7reb, K.Neff 9+4reb, Z.Dzhakauov 3+1reb+4ast

Barsy Atyrau - Caspiy Aktau 60-85

The game between one of their biggest challengers Barsy Atyrau (14-12) and fifth ranked Caspiy Aktau (14-14) in Atyrau on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Aktau outscored Barsy Atyrau 85-60. Caspiy Aktau had a 32-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The winners were led by the former international guard Maxim Marchuk (195-1994) who scored that evening 14 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and the former international forward Roman Marchuk (198-1993) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Four Caspiy Aktau players scored in double figures. Even 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by forward Aibolat Omarov (197-2006) did not help to save the game for Barsy Atyrau. Forward Abat Marat (180-2005) added 10 points and 6 assists for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Caspiy Aktau have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 14-14 record. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the fourth place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Barsy Atyrau: T.Tangiev 11+1reb+1ast, A.Marat 10+2reb+6ast, A.Omarov 9+11reb+4ast, A.Ridley III 7+1reb+2ast, M.Kazimov 7+6reb+1ast, A.Ermakov 6+4reb+3ast
Caspiy Aktau: R.Marchuk 15+8reb+3ast, M.Marchuk 14+6reb+9ast, K.Neff 13+1reb+3ast, C.Campbell 11+4reb+4ast, L.Marshall 9+8reb+3ast, Z.Dzhakauov 9+1reb+4ast

Tobol - Irbis 83-69

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Irbis (20-5) in Kostanay on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Tobol (19-7) 83-69. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Tobol outrebounded Irbis 46-27 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tobol looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by Irbis' players. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners. Four Tobol players scored in double figures. The former international forward Nikolay Bazhin (198-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Artem Kozyrkin (185-1998) added 16 points and 7 assists in the effort for Irbis. Irbis' coach Ramunas Cvirka rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tobol maintains second position with 19-7 record behind leader Irbis. Defending champion Irbis still keep top place with five games lost. Tobol are looking forward to face Almaty L. (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Irbis will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Irbis: A.Kozyrkin 16+2reb+7ast, N.Bazhin 12+10reb+5ast, D.Gavrilov 10+5reb+1ast, A.Zhigulin 9+5reb+3ast, A.Marat 9+1reb+2ast, T.Small 7+3reb+2ast
Tobol: A.Bykov 29+11reb+6ast, D.Flannigan 16+12reb+1ast, S.Kuanov 15+5reb+13ast, K.Dvirnyi 11+1reb+1ast, P.Ilyin 9+6reb+5ast, B.Nazmutdinov 3+4reb+2ast

Tobol - Irbis 84-85

Important game to mention about took place in Kostanay. First ranked Irbis (20-5) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-ranked Tobol (19-7) 85-84 in the game for the first place. Irbis made 19-of-24 charity shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Irbis had a 14-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Alexandr Zhigulin (205-1994) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 5 rebounds and American guard Tahj Small (196-1999, college: Utah Valley) who added 12 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 assists and the former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) scored 19 points and 6 assists. Five Irbis and four Tobol players scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains first position with 20-5 record. Tobol at the other side keeps the second place with seven games lost. Irbis' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Almaty .
Top scorers:
Tobol: A.Bykov 19+4reb+6ast, S.Kuanov 17+4reb+13ast, P.Ilyin 14+8reb+4ast, D.Flannigan 12+8reb+4ast, K.Dvirnyi 9+2reb+3ast, A.Bitenov 5+2reb+1ast
Irbis: A.Zhigulin 25+5reb, D.Gavrilov 15+6reb+2ast, N.Bazhin 13+6reb+4ast, T.Small 12+9reb+3ast, A.Kozyrkin 10+3reb+7ast, A.Alyonushka 9+4reb+1ast