MBL Round 13 (Regular Season): Darkhan beat Metal by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 13 in the MBL took place in Darkhan. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Metal (8-7) to seventh ranked United (7-6) 77-75 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Metal. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tae Hardy (190, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) contributed with 13 points for the winners. B Wesley answered with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for Metal. Darkhan moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Apes. Metal at the other side dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. Darkhan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Metal will play on the road against Bison (#9) in Nalaikh and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Bodons (8-5) against fourth ranked Apes (7-6) on Thursday night. Host Bodons were defeated by Apes in a tough game in Sukhbaatar 73-80. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Bodons. South Sudanese-Australian center Deng Acuoth (208-1996) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and Kris Clyburn chipped in 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. At the losing side American forward Ahmad Gilbert (200-1996, college: St.Thomas, FL) responded with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Apes have a solid series of three victories in a row. Despite that victory Apes went down to fifth position due to points difference, which they share with Darkhan. Selenge at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Apes will play against UB TLG (#8) in Ulaanbaatar in the next round. Selenge will play against Knights (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Broncos (14-2) which played road game in against 4th placed Apes (7-6). First ranked Broncos managed to get a 5-point victory 81-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Apes. Jordan Tolbert nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Kris Clyburn came up with 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for Apes in the defeat. Xac Broncos maintains first place with 14-2 record. Loser Apes dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Darkhan. Xac Broncos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Apes will play against UB TLG (#8) in Ulaanbaatar and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 13 Brothers were beaten by Miners on the road 92-85. Bison lost to Knights on its own court 88-96.



Miners - Brothers 92-85

There was a surprise result when tenth ranked Miners (4-11) beat higher ranked Brothers (6-6) in Erdenet 92-85 on Thursday. Miners made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) nailed 34 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) accounted for 13 points and 8 rebounds. American power forward Diamond Stone (208-1997, college: Maryland) came up with 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard McKenzie Moore (198-1992, college: UTEP) added 15 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists respectively for Brothers in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Miners maintains tenth place with 4-11 record. Loser Brothers dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. Miners will meet at home higher ranked Knights (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Brothers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Brothers: D.Stone 33+6reb, M.Moore 15+10reb+9ast, M.Baasandorj 14+5reb+1ast, B.Enkh-Amgalan 11+5reb+2ast, U.Chinguun 7+7reb+2ast, A.Erdenehuiag 3+1reb
Miners: S.Ponds 34+5reb+4ast, B.Gantsolmon 16+2reb+4ast, M.Esho 13+8reb+3ast, B.Bat-Erdene 10+6reb, O.Otgonbayar 6+5reb+1ast, G.Nasanjargal 3+1reb

Selenge - Apes 73-80

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Bodons (8-5) against fourth ranked Apes (7-6) on Thursday night. Host Bodons were defeated by Apes in a tough game in Sukhbaatar 73-80. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Bodons. Apes outrebounded Selenge 47-34 including 33 on the defensive glass. Selenge was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. South Sudanese-Australian center Deng Acuoth (208-1996) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and American swingman Kris Clyburn (196-1996, college: UNLV) chipped in 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. At the losing side American forward Ahmad Gilbert (200-1996, college: St.Thomas, FL) responded with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Haitian forward Jeantal Cylla (201-1996, college: Arkansas) scored 26 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Apes have a solid series of three victories in a row. Despite that victory Apes went down to fifth position due to points difference, which they share with Darkhan. Selenge at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Apes will play against UB TLG (#8) in Ulaanbaatar in the next round. Selenge will play against Knights (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Selenge: J.Cylla 26+2reb+2ast, A.Gilbert 20+8reb+4ast, N.Batbayar 13+3reb, B.Enkhsaikhan 7+5reb+1ast, M.Purevsuren 5, T.Otgondari 1+3reb
Apes: D.Acuoth 18+15reb+1ast, K.Clyburn 15+11reb+7ast, T.Bataa 10+4reb, N.Ganbaatar 7+2reb, M.Enkhbaatar 7+4reb, S.Erdenedalai 7+1reb

Darkhan - Metal 77-75

The most exciting game of round 13 in the MBL took place in Darkhan. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Metal (8-7) to seventh ranked United (7-6) 77-75 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Metal. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tae Hardy (190, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) contributed with 13 points for the winners. B Wesley answered with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and international guard Enkhbayasgalan Amarbayasgalan (195-1997) added 22 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) in the effort for Metal. Four Metal players scored in double figures. Darkhan moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Apes. Metal at the other side dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. Darkhan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Metal will play on the road against Bison (#9) in Nalaikh and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Metal: E.Amarbayasgalan 22+6reb+1ast, B.Wesley 15+7reb+7ast, U.Tumenbayar 14+7reb+4ast, D.Scott 14+5reb+4ast, c.ccccccccc 7+4reb+1ast, E.E. 2+1reb
Darkhan: T.Hardy 30+5reb+4ast, T.Petteway 13+4reb+3ast, O.Sodnomjamts 10+5reb, A.Enkhtuvshin 5+2reb, D.Uganbayar 5+1reb+1ast, D.Bau-Ulziy 4+1reb+1ast

Bison - Knights 88-96

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Bizon (5-11) lost to fifth ranked Knights (8-6) in Nalaikh 88-96 on Saturday. Knights dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Bizon's 34. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Knights made 7 blocks. American forward Lance Thomas (206-1999, college: USA, agency: Haylett Sports) nailed 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks for the winning side and Togoldor Batmenh accounted for 24 points and 5 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). American power forward Justin Moss (203-1993, college: Buffalo) came up with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import center Kyree Walker (198-2000) added 16 points and 4 assists respectively for Bison in the defeat. Knights moved-up to third place. Loser Bizon dropped to the ninth position with 11 games lost. Knights will meet bottom-ranked Miners (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Bison will play against Metal and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bison: J.Moss 32+11reb+2ast, K.Walker 16+3reb+4ast, T.Sanchir 12+4reb, B.A. 8, T.Elbeg 5+4reb+2ast, M.Purevdorj 4+1reb+4ast
Knights: L.Thomas 25+8reb+2ast, T.Batmenh 24+5reb+3ast, P.Williams 15+6reb+6ast, D.Davaadorj 8+5reb+1ast, U.Oyuntsetseg 8+3reb+1ast, J.Jargalsaikhan 3+2ast

Apes - Xac Broncos 76-81

An interesting game for Broncos (14-2) which played road game in against 4th placed Apes (7-6). First ranked Broncos managed to get a 5-point victory 81-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Apes. Xac Broncos dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Apes' 32. American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and international forward Altangerel Azbayar (202-2005) accounted for 13 points and 7 rebounds. American swingman Kris Clyburn (196-1996, college: UNLV) came up with 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and guard Tuul Mendbayar (185-1995) added 21 points and 4 steals respectively for Apes in the defeat. Xac Broncos maintains first place with 14-2 record. Loser Apes dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Darkhan. Xac Broncos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Apes will play against UB TLG (#8) in Ulaanbaatar and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Apes: T.Mendbayar 21+4reb, K.Clyburn 20+4reb+5ast, T.Bataa 16+2reb, S.Erdenedalai 6+2reb, U.Myagmarsuren 5+5reb+9ast, D.Acuoth 5+5reb
Xac Broncos: J.Tolbert 22+10reb+4ast, T.Chingis 14+2reb, A.Azbayar 13+7reb, I.Chuluunbaatar 9+2reb+1ast, B.Barsbold 8+3reb+4ast, F.B. 4+4reb+7ast