National League Round 12 (Regular Season): Almaty L. lose to Tobol

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Kostanay between third ranked Almaty L. (12-14) and fifth ranked Tobol (3-23) on Saturday night. Almaty L. was defeated by Tobol in a tough game on the road 73-79. It was a good game for the former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international swingman Pavel Ilyin (194-1992) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) replied with 15 points and 8 rebounds for Almaty L.Almaty L.'s coach Oleg Ten rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tobol maintains fifth position with 3-23 record. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Barsy Atyrau. Tobol will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Almaty L. will play on the road against the league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Caspiy Aktau (13-11) which played road game in Almaty against one of their biggest challengers Almaty L. (12-14). Second ranked Caspiy Aktau had an easy win 95-79. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Eric McGill (190-1996, college: SIU) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals and JP Moorman II who added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) with 19 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Caspiy Aktau have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-11 record having seven points less than leader Astana. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Barsy Atyrau. Caspiy Aktau will play against league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Almaty L. will play on the road against the league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Caspiy Aktau (13-11) which played road game in Almaty against one of their biggest challengers Almaty L. (12-14). Second ranked Caspiy Aktau managed to get a 12-point victory 83-71. The winners were led by Eric McGill who scored that evening 15 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 6 steals. Even 19 points and 4 steals by Elijah Hardy did not help to save the game for Almaty L.. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Caspiy Aktau have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-11 record having seven points less than leader Astana. Loser Almaty L. keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Barsy Atyrau. Caspiy Aktau will meet at home league's leader Astana in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Almaty L. will play against the league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 12: Barsy Atyrau lost to undefeated Astana on the road 69-85. Astana won against Barsy Atyrau on its own court 79-72. Almaty L. managed to outperform Tobol in a road game 84-72.



Almaty L. - Caspiy Aktau 79-95

An interesting game for Caspiy Aktau (13-11) which played road game in Almaty against one of their biggest challengers Almaty L. (12-14). Second ranked Caspiy Aktau had an easy win 95-79. Caspiy Aktau dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Almaty L.'s 40. Caspiy Aktau forced 23 Almaty L. turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Eric McGill (190-1996, college: SIU) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals and the other American import swingman JP Moorman II (201-1998, college: UC Riverside) who added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Five Caspiy Aktau players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) with 19 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American guard Elijah Hardy (188-1999, college: CSUSB) scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Caspiy Aktau have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-11 record having seven points less than leader Astana. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Barsy Atyrau. Caspiy Aktau will play against league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Almaty L. will play on the road against the league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: F.Nikita 19+4reb+2ast, H.Elijah 16+5reb+4ast, G.Platon 14+3reb+2ast, A.Daniel 8+4reb+1ast, S.Stanislav 6+3reb+1ast, T.Nikita 4+2reb
Caspiy Aktau: M.Eric 20+6reb+7ast, V.Ivanov 18+6reb+2ast, V.Petrishinets 17+4reb+2ast, M.JP 14+7reb+8ast, K.Neff 12+2reb+1ast, R.Marchuk 8+3reb

Almaty L. - Caspiy Aktau 71-83

An interesting game for Caspiy Aktau (13-11) which played road game in Almaty against one of their biggest challengers Almaty L. (12-14). Second ranked Caspiy Aktau managed to get a 12-point victory 83-71. Caspiy Aktau looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American guard Eric McGill (190-1996, college: SIU) who scored that evening 15 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 6 steals and the other American import swingman JP Moorman II (201-1998, college: UC Riverside) supported him with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Caspiy Aktau players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 4 steals by American guard Elijah Hardy (188-1999, college: CSUSB) did not help to save the game for Almaty L.. The former international guard Stanislav Sahipov (190-2002) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Caspiy Aktau have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-11 record having seven points less than leader Astana. Loser Almaty L. keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Barsy Atyrau. Caspiy Aktau will meet at home league's leader Astana in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Almaty L. will play against the league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: H.Elijah 19+4reb+3ast, S.Stanislav 14+6reb+5ast, A.Daniel 10+8reb, F.Nikita 9+4reb+2ast, T.Nikita 7+5reb, V.Andrey 5+1reb+2ast
Caspiy Aktau: M.JP 18+7reb+5ast, M.Eric 15+8reb+9ast, V.Petrishinets 14+4reb+3ast, V.Ivanov 14+12reb+2ast, R.Marchuk 12+6reb, K.Neff 3+3reb

Astana - Barsy Atyrau 85-69

No shocking result in a game when top-ranked Astana (22-0) beat 3rd ranked Barsy Atyrau (12-14) in Nur-Sultan 85-69 on Wednesday. Astana made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by American point guard EJ Day (180-1999, college: Lasell) who scored that evening 22 points and 6 assists and international forward Askar Maydekin (203-1997) supported him with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Four Astana players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 8 rebounds by forward Aibolat Omarov (197-2006) did not help to save the game for Barsy Atyrau. American point guard Michael Mays (178-1999, college: King) added 20 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Astana have an impressive 22-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 22-0 record. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Almaty L.. Astana will meet at home Almaty L. (#4) in the next round. Barsy Atyrau will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Barsy Atyrau: M.Michael 20+1reb+2ast, O.Aibolat 19+8reb+1ast, R.Bogdan 9+3reb+6ast, M.Jackson 8+9reb+4ast, A.Ermakov 4+2reb+1ast, B.Bolatbek 3+1reb+1ast
Astana: D.EJ 22+2reb+6ast, A.Maydekin 14+11reb+1ast, Z.Alexander 13+4reb, P.Robert 11+7reb+4ast, R.Murzagaliyev 7+4reb+2ast, J.Adas 7+5reb+2ast

Astana - Barsy Atyrau 79-72

Rather expected game when 3rd ranked Barsy Atyrau (12-14) lost to top-ranked Astana (22-0) in Nur-Sultan 72-79 on Thursday. Astana made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Barsy Atyrau's players. The winners were led by American point guard EJ Day (180-1999, college: Lasell) who scored that evening 19 points and 4 assists and Lithuanian guard Adas Juskevicius (194-1989, agency: Alti Sport) supported him with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Astana players scored in double figures. Even 36 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds by American point guard Michael Mays (178-1999, college: King) did not help to save the game for Barsy Atyrau. His fellow American import forward Marty Jackson (198-2000, college: St.Leo) added 10 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Astana have an impressive 22-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 22-0 record. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Almaty L.. Astana will meet at home Almaty L. (#4) in the next round. Barsy Atyrau will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Barsy Atyrau: M.Michael 36+7reb, R.Bogdan 14+1reb+4ast, M.Jackson 10+8reb+2ast, O.Aibolat 6+8reb+1ast, U.Kairat 4+1reb, K.Mahambet 1+6reb
Astana: D.EJ 19+1reb+4ast, J.Adas 14+5reb+2ast, Z.Alexander 12+6reb, A.Maydekin 10+4reb+2ast, P.Robert 8+8reb+3ast, R.Aitkali 6+2reb+1ast

Tobol - Almaty L. 72-84

Rather predictable result when third ranked Almaty L. (12-14) won against bottom-ranked Tobol (3-23) in Kostanay 84-72 on Friday. Almaty L. forced 22 Tobol turnovers. The winners were led by guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Almaty L. players scored in double figures. Almaty L.'s coach Oleg Ten used an eleven-player rotation saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 24 points and 16 rebounds by the former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) did not help to save the game for Tobol. The former international swingman Pavel Ilyin (194-1992) added 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Almaty L. maintains third position with 12-14 record having six points less than leader Astana, which they share with Barsy Atyrau. Loser Tobol stay dead last with 23 lost games. Almaty L. will meet league's leader Astana in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tobol will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tobol: B.Anton 24+16reb+3ast, I.Pavel 12+11reb+4ast, V.Rustam 10+3reb+3ast, S.Mikhail 9+2reb+2ast, B.Adilbek 9+2reb+1ast, S.Darim 4+2reb+1ast
Almaty L.: N.Fedchenko 14+11reb+3ast, N.Adylbekov 13+7reb+3ast, D.Albrant 12+4reb, P.Gritchin 12+5reb, D.Kalymbetov 11+1reb, S.Dmitry 8+5reb+2ast

Tobol - Almaty L. 79-73

The most important game in the last round took place in Kostanay between third ranked Almaty L. (12-14) and fifth ranked Tobol (3-23) on Saturday night. Almaty L. was defeated by Tobol in a tough game on the road 73-79. It was a good game for the former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international swingman Pavel Ilyin (194-1992) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) replied with 15 points and 8 rebounds and guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) added 10 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Almaty L.Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Almaty L.'s coach Oleg Ten rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tobol maintains fifth position with 3-23 record. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Barsy Atyrau. Tobol will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Almaty L. will play on the road against the league's leader Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: A.Nazim 15+8reb, A.Daniel 12+2reb, F.Nikita 10+11reb+1ast, I.Ali 10+3reb+4ast, S.Stanislav 7+1reb+2ast, T.Nikita 6+1reb+1ast
Tobol: A.Bykov 30+19reb+4ast, P.Ilyin 20+8reb+3ast, D.Sulatanov 14+4reb+2ast, R.Valiyev 10+5reb+4ast, A.Sultanov 3+3reb+2ast, M.Sych 2+1reb