MBL Round 20 (Regular Season): #1 Xac Broncos are defeated by Selenge

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 3 rounds. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Broncos (18-3) in Sukhbaatar on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Bodons (12-6) 84-77. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Broncos. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Selenge forced 20 Xac Broncos turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Ahmad Gilbert (200-1996, college: St.Thomas, FL) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Haitian forward Jeantal Cylla (201-1996, college: Arkansas) who added 22 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. International forward Ikhbayar Chuluunbaatar (194-2000) responded with 24 points. Selenge maintains second position with 12-6 record having nine points less than leader Xac Broncos. Xac Broncos at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. Selenge are looking forward to face Darkhan (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Xac Broncos will play against Knights (#6) and are hoping to win this game.
The game in supposed to be also worth to mention about. 6th ranked United (9-10) played at the court of seventh ranked Knights (9-10). Knights smashed United 98-70. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by guard Pendarvis Williams (198-1991, college: Norfolk St.) who scored that evening 20 points and 7 rebounds and Lance Thomas supported him with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Even 24 points and 6 rebounds by forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) did not help to save the game for Darkhan. Knights moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Darkhan. Darkhan lost third consecutive game. Knights will play against league's leader Xac Broncos in Ulaanbaatar in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Darkhan will play at home against the league's second-placed Selenge (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Fourth ranked Metal (11-9) crushed at home 5th ranked Brothers (9-8) by 33 points 94-61, which is the biggest margin this round on Tuesday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Brothers. The best player for the winners was B Wesley who scored 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Diamond Stone produced 23 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Metal maintains fourth position with 11-9 record. Loser Brothers keep the fifth place with eight games lost. Metal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ulaanbaatar to the arena UB TLG.

In the last game of round 20 Bison lost to Miners on the opponent's court 91-95.



Knights - Darkhan 98-70

The game in supposed to be also worth to mention about. 6th ranked United (9-10) played at the court of seventh ranked Knights (9-10). Knights smashed United 98-70. Knights had a 31-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by guard Pendarvis Williams (198-1991, college: Norfolk St.) who scored that evening 20 points and 7 rebounds and forward Lance Thomas (208-1999, college: USA, agency: Haylett Sports) supported him with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Four Knights players scored in double figures. Even 24 points and 6 rebounds by forward Terran Petteway (198-1992, college: Nebraska, agency: MSG) did not help to save the game for Darkhan. Guard Tae Hardy (190, college: UTEP) added 10 points for the guests. Knights moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Darkhan. Darkhan lost third consecutive game. Knights will play against league's leader Xac Broncos in Ulaanbaatar in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Darkhan will play at home against the league's second-placed Selenge (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Knights: D.Davaadorj 21+6reb+2ast, P.Williams 20+7reb+3ast, L.Thomas 18+8reb+3ast, E.Ochirbat 16+7reb+4ast, U.Oyuntsetseg 8+3reb+1ast, J.Jargalsaikhan 7+1reb+2ast
Darkhan: T.Petteway 24+6reb+1ast, T.Hardy 10+2reb+3ast, O.Sodnomjamts 7+5reb, B.G. 7+3reb, M.Monhzolboo 5+1reb+2ast, B.T. 4+3reb

Miners - Bison 95-91

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Bizon's (5-16) road loss to eighth ranked Miners (9-12) 91-95 on Thursday. Miners made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) who scored 36 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds. Four Miners players scored in double figures. American power forward Justin Moss (203-1993, college: Buffalo) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import center Kyree Walker (198-2000) added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) respectively for the guests. Miners have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 9-12 record. Bison lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 16 games lost. Miners will meet higher ranked Brothers (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Bison will play against Apes (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Miners: S.Ponds 36+7reb+4ast, M.Esho 22+7reb+2ast, B.Ankhbayar 10+2reb, B.Gantsolmon 10+3reb+5ast, O.Ganzorig 5+6reb, T.Sedbazar 4+1reb
Bison: J.Moss 29+10reb+1ast, K.Walker 22+7reb+4ast, T.Elbeg 11+4reb+3ast, T.M. 8+2reb+9ast, B.B. 7+4reb+1ast, B.A. 3

Selenge - Xac Broncos 84-77

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Broncos (18-3) in Sukhbaatar on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Bodons (12-6) 84-77. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Broncos. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Selenge forced 20 Xac Broncos turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Ahmad Gilbert (200-1996, college: St.Thomas, FL) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Haitian forward Jeantal Cylla (201-1996, college: Arkansas) who added 22 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. International forward Ikhbayar Chuluunbaatar (194-2000) responded with 24 points and American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Xac Broncos players scored in double figures. Selenge maintains second position with 12-6 record having nine points less than leader Xac Broncos. Xac Broncos at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. Selenge are looking forward to face Darkhan (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Xac Broncos will play against Knights (#6) and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Selenge: A.Gilbert 25+10reb+4ast, N.Batbayar 23+1reb, J.Cylla 22+6reb, E.Tserenbaatar 7+4reb+4ast, B.Enkhsaikhan 4+6reb+4ast, B.Narangerel 3
Xac Broncos: I.Chuluunbaatar 24+3reb+3ast, A.Azbayar 14+8reb+1ast, J.Tolbert 12+10reb+4ast, B.Barsbold 11+1reb+3ast, S.Enkhbaatar 5+2reb+6ast, J.Gray 5+6reb+1ast

Metal - Brothers 94-61

Fourth ranked Metal (11-9) crushed at home 5th ranked Brothers (9-8) by 33 points 94-61, which is the biggest margin this round on Tuesday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Brothers. Metal dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Brothers' 34. Metal forced 20 Brothers turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Brothers' players. The best player for the winners was B Wesley who scored 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) chipped in 18 points and 5 assists. American power forward Diamond Stone (208-1997, college: Maryland) produced 23 points and 7 rebounds and Temuuzhin Bathuu added 8 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Metal maintains fourth position with 11-9 record. Loser Brothers keep the fifth place with eight games lost. Metal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ulaanbaatar to the arena UB TLG.
Top scorers:
Metal: B.Wesley 27+8reb+7ast, D.Scott 18+4reb+5ast, E.Amarbayasgalan 12+5reb+2ast, E.E. 9+4reb+3ast, D.E. 8, U.Tumenbayar 6+2reb+4ast
Brothers: D.Stone 23+7reb+2ast, D.Purevsuren 8+4reb, T.Bathuu 8+5reb, E.Munkhtulga 5+1reb+1ast, B.Sandagsuren 4+1reb, U.Chinguun 4+7reb+1ast