MBL Round 15 (Regular Season): Metal is upset by Miners

The Regular Season in MBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Metal (9-8) and ninth ranked Miners (6-11) was the most important one in the last round on Thursday night. Metal was edged by Miners in a tough game in Erdenet 66-68. Miners made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) who scored 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was international point guard Uuganbayar Tumenbayar (180-1998) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Miners have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place. Metal at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost. Miners are looking forward to face higher ranked Apes (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Metal will play against Apes and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Broncos delivered the fifteenth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked United (7-7) 79-73 in Darkhan. It was a good game for American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Ermuunzayaa Erkhembayar contributed with 24 points for the winners. American forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) answered with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for Darkhan. Xac Broncos maintains first place with 15-2 record. Darkhan at the other side keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Xac Broncos will play against Brothers (#7) in Uliastai in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Darkhan will play at home against Bison and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Ulaanbaatar was also quite interesting. Second ranked Bodons (10-5) played at the court of 8th ranked UB TLG (5-12). Bodons managed to secure a 4-point victory 102-98 on Thursday. It was a great evening for Ahmad Gilbert who led his team to a victory scoring 34 points (!!!). The best for the losing side was Kenny Wooten Jr with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 22 rebounds and 7 blocks. Selenge maintains second place with 10-5 record having seven points less than leader Xac Broncos. UB TLG lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost. They share it with Bison. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Miners - Metal 68-66

The game between third ranked Metal (9-8) and ninth ranked Miners (6-11) was the most important one in the last round on Thursday night. Metal was edged by Miners in a tough game in Erdenet 66-68. Miners made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) who scored 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was international point guard Uuganbayar Tumenbayar (180-1998) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and B Wesley added 19 points and 5 assists respectively. Miners have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place. Metal at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost. Miners are looking forward to face higher ranked Apes (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Metal will play against Apes and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Metal: B.Wesley 19+4reb+5ast, U.Tumenbayar 15+11reb+6ast, D.Scott 15+5reb+2ast, E.Amarbayasgalan 7+5reb+4ast, M.N. 4+2reb+1ast, B.T. 3+1ast
Miners: S.Ponds 19+5reb+4ast, M.Esho 15+10reb, B.Gantsolmon 14+2reb+6ast, Z.Namjildorj 9+5reb, G.Nasanjargal 4+3reb, O.Ganzorig 3+2reb

UB TLG - Selenge 98-102

The game in Ulaanbaatar was also quite interesting. Second ranked Bodons (10-5) played at the court of 8th ranked UB TLG (5-12). Bodons managed to secure a 4-point victory 102-98 on Thursday. Strangely UB TLG outrebounded Selenge 44-29 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American forward Ahmad Gilbert (200-1996, college: St.Thomas, FL) who led his team to a victory scoring 34 points (!!!). Haitian forward Jeantal Cylla (201-1996, college: Arkansas) helped adding 21 points and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). The best for the losing side was American forward Kenny Wooten Jr (204-1998, college: Oregon) with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 22 rebounds and 7 blocks and Avirmed Lhagva scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. Four UB TLG players scored in double figures. Selenge maintains second place with 10-5 record having seven points less than leader Xac Broncos. UB TLG lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost. They share it with Bison. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
UB TLG: A.Lhagva 27+6reb+2ast, K.Wooten Jr. 27+22reb+1ast, B.Gan-Erdene 21+4reb+2ast, G.E. 10+3reb+6ast, M.Ganbat 5+3reb+1ast, C.Munkh Ulzii 3+4reb+3ast
Selenge: A.Gilbert 34+4reb+2ast, J.Cylla 21+4reb+4ast, M.Purevsuren 11+2reb, N.Batbayar 9+1reb+1ast, E.Tserenbaatar 8+5reb+1ast, T.Otgondari 7+4reb+4ast

Darkhan - Xac Broncos 73-79

Leader Broncos delivered the fifteenth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked United (7-7) 79-73 in Darkhan. It was a good game for American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Guard Ermuunzayaa Erkhembayar (185-2002) contributed with 24 points for the winners. American forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) answered with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Tae Hardy (190, college: UTEP) added 17 points, 5 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Darkhan. Xac Broncos maintains first place with 15-2 record. Darkhan at the other side keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Xac Broncos will play against Brothers (#7) in Uliastai in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Darkhan will play at home against Bison and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Darkhan: T.Petteway 23+8reb+4ast, T.Hardy 17+4reb+5ast, M.Monhzolboo 10+4reb+2ast, D.Uganbayar 8+2reb+1ast, O.Sodnomjamts 6+3reb, N.Olzvoi 5+3reb+1ast
Xac Broncos: E.Erkhembayar 24+3reb, J.Tolbert 23+18reb+5ast, J.Gray 9+1ast, I.Chuluunbaatar 5+11reb+1ast, T.Chingis 5+2reb+2ast, B.Barsbold 5+1reb