MBL Round 9 (Regular Season): Knights hand first defeat to Xac Broncos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Broncos (12-1) recorded its first loss in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Knights (6-4) 82-79. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Broncos. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The best player for the winners was American guard Pendarvis Williams (198-1991, college: Norfolk St.) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Erdenetsogt Ochirbat (184-1995) chipped in 29 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. Knights maintains second place with 6-4 record having nine points less than leader Xac Broncos, which they share with Selenge. Xac Broncos at the other side still keep top position with one game lost.
Important game to mention about took place in Ulaanbaatar. Seventh ranked UB TLG (5-8) saved a 2-point victory at home edging second-best Knights (6-4) 72-70 on Thursday evening. It was a good game for American forward Kenny Wooten Jr. (204-1998, college: Oregon) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks. Avirmed Lhagva contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American guard Pendarvis Williams (198-1991, college: Norfolk St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists for Knights. UB TLG moved-up to sixth place. Knights at the other side keep the second position with four games lost. They share it with Selenge.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Ulaanbaatar: Metal (#5) and UB TLG (#7). Metal (6-5) crushed visiting UB TLG (5-8) by 16 points 96-80. B Wesley stepped up with a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Kenny Wooten Jr. with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Metal have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. UB TLG lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost.

In the last two games of round 9 Darkhan was defeated by Selenge in Sukhbaatar 80-62. Brothers beat Apes at home 86-85.
The best stats of 9th round was 28 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Kris Clyburn of Apes.



Metal - UB TLG 96-80

Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Ulaanbaatar: Metal (#5) and UB TLG (#7). Metal (6-5) crushed visiting UB TLG (5-8) by 16 points 96-80. Metal dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to UB TLG's 36. Metal forced 20 UB TLG turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. B Wesley stepped up with a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners and American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) chipped in 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was American forward Kenny Wooten Jr. (204-1998, college: Oregon) with 18 points and 9 rebounds and Bilguun Gan-Erdene scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Metal and five UB TLG players scored in double figures. Metal have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. UB TLG lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Metal: B.Wesley 20+11reb+10ast, U.Tumenbayar 19+3reb+4ast, D.Scott 17+11reb+4ast, E.Amarbayasgalan 16+4reb+1ast, E.Z. 7+2reb, T.Lkhagvajav 4+1reb
UB TLG: A.Lhagva 19+2reb+1ast, K.Wooten Jr. 18+9reb+2ast, B.Gan-Erdene 15+5reb+6ast, C.Munkh Ulzii 11+7reb, G.E. 10+1reb, H.Erdenebat 2+2reb

Xac Broncos - Knights 79-82

Broncos (12-1) recorded its first loss in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Knights (6-4) 82-79. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Broncos. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The best player for the winners was American guard Pendarvis Williams (198-1991, college: Norfolk St.) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Erdenetsogt Ochirbat (184-1995) chipped in 29 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds and international forward Altangerel Azbayar (202-2005) added 8 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Knights maintains second place with 6-4 record having nine points less than leader Xac Broncos, which they share with Selenge. Xac Broncos at the other side still keep top position with one game lost.
Top scorers:
Knights: P.Williams 30+13reb+4ast, E.Ochirbat 29+8reb+4ast, T.Batmenh 6+4reb+4ast, M.Hureltogoo 5+6reb+3ast, J.Jargalsaikhan 5+1reb, B.Mullens 4+5reb
Xac Broncos: J.Tolbert 22+13reb+1ast, T.Elbeg 15+3reb+2ast, S.Enkhbaatar 9+5reb+3ast, T.Chingis 9+3reb+1ast, A.Azbayar 8+11reb+2ast, S.Otgonbaatar 7+1reb+6ast

UB TLG - Knights 72-70

Important game to mention about took place in Ulaanbaatar. Seventh ranked UB TLG (5-8) saved a 2-point victory at home edging second-best Knights (6-4) 72-70 on Thursday evening. UB TLG brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a good game for American forward Kenny Wooten Jr. (204-1998, college: Oregon) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks. Avirmed Lhagva contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American guard Pendarvis Williams (198-1991, college: Norfolk St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists and the former international guard Erdenetsogt Ochirbat (184-1995) added 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Knights. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. UB TLG moved-up to sixth place. Knights at the other side keep the second position with four games lost. They share it with Selenge.
Top scorers:
UB TLG: A.Lhagva 22+6reb, K.Wooten Jr. 19+16reb+1ast, B.Gan-Erdene 13+2reb+2ast, G.E. 10+2reb+5ast, H.Erdenebat 4+3reb+2ast, I.Erdenecogt 3+3reb+1ast
Knights: T.Batmenh 16+2reb+3ast, E.Ochirbat 16+5reb+4ast, J.Jargalsaikhan 12+1ast, P.Williams 11+7reb+11ast, B.Mullens 6+8reb+2ast, M.Telmen 4+8reb

Selenge - Darkhan 80-62

Everything could happen in Sukhbaatar at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Bodons and 4th placed United had identical 5-4 record. This time Bodons used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Darkhan 80-62 on Thursday night. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Selenge dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to United's 30. Selenge forced 20 Darkhan turnovers. Haitian forward Jeantal Cylla (201-1996, college: Arkansas) stepped up and scored 32 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and American forward Ahmad Gilbert (200-1996, college: St.Thomas, FL) chipped in 11 points. The best for the losing side was American guard Tae Hardy (190, college: UTEP) with 18 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Selenge (6-4) moved-up to second place, which they share with Knights. Loser United dropped to the fifth position with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Selenge: J.Cylla 32+7reb+2ast, A.Gilbert 11+3reb+3ast, N.Batbayar 10+4reb+2ast, B.Altantsas 9+5reb, T.Otgondari 7+4reb+3ast, B.Enkhsaikhan 5+2reb
Darkhan: T.Hardy 18+5reb+2ast, S.E. 12+3reb+2ast, T.Petteway 11+5reb+4ast, A.Enkhtuvshin 9+8reb, D.Uganbayar 5+4reb+1ast, B.G. 4+6reb

Brothers - Apes 86-85

There was a small surprise in Uliastai where ninth ranked Brothers (4-4) edged 7th ranked Apes (4-5) 86-85 on Thursday. Brothers outrebounded Apes 58-35 including a 34-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Brothers looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American guard McKenzie Moore (198-1992, college: UTEP) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks for the winners and his fellow American import power forward Diamond Stone (208-1997, college: Maryland) chipped in 21 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American swingman Kris Clyburn (196-1996, college: UNLV) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) scored 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Brothers moved-up to seventh place. Apes lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Brothers: D.Stone 21+12reb+1ast, M.Moore 20+11reb+8ast, B.Enkh-Amgalan 15+8reb+2ast, M.Baasandorj 14+3reb+5ast, E.Munkhtulga 6+2reb+2ast, D.Purevsuren 4+5reb
Apes: K.Clyburn 28+10reb+4ast, T.Bataa 13+2reb+1ast, U.Myagmarsuren 12+2reb+2ast, N.Ganbaatar 10+5reb+1ast, E.Ross 9+9reb+4ast, M.E. 6+2reb