MBL Round 20 (Regular Season): Knights lose to Bodons

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 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise took place in Sukhbaatar where host Bodons (12-12) edged league's leader Knights (18-7) 86-85 on Sunday evening. Selenge have a solid four-game winning streak. Bodons maintains fifth position with 12-12 record. Knights at the other side still keep top place with seven games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Xac Broncos who have the same record. Knights will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Selenge will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Knights in Ulaanbaatar.
The game had a very big importance for eighth-ranked United as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Knights) loss. United defeated second-ranked Broncos in Ulaanbaatar 82-69. As mentioned above they took over a top position. Defending champion Xac Broncos still keep top place with seven games lost. They share the position with Knights. Xac Broncos will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Darkhan will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Brothers at Uliastai.
Fifth-ranked Bodons (12-12) made lots of trouble for second ranked Broncos (18-7) in Sukhbaatar on Wednesday. The visitors from Ulaanbaatar managed to secure only two-point victory 83-81. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Bodons. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Knights. Loser Bodons keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. Xac Broncos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Selenge will play against the league's second-placed Knights (#2) in Ulaanbaatar and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 20 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Brothers defeated Mongolians in Uliastai 79-73. Bottom-ranked Metal was smashed by Miners at home 54-88. Falcons lost to Darkhan on the opponent's court 87-93.



Xac Broncos - Darkhan 69-82

The game had a very big importance for eighth-ranked United as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Knights) loss. United defeated second-ranked Broncos in Ulaanbaatar 82-69. As mentioned above they took over a top position. Defending champion Xac Broncos still keep top place with seven games lost. They share the position with Knights. Xac Broncos will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Darkhan will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Brothers at Uliastai.

Selenge - Knights 86-85

The biggest surprise took place in Sukhbaatar where host Bodons (12-12) edged league's leader Knights (18-7) 86-85 on Sunday evening. Selenge have a solid four-game winning streak. Bodons maintains fifth position with 12-12 record. Knights at the other side still keep top place with seven games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Xac Broncos who have the same record. Knights will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Selenge will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Knights in Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolians - Brothers 73-79

There was no surprise in Ulaanbaatar where 9th ranked Mongolians (7-16) were defeated by seventh ranked Brothers (10-14) 79-73 on Tuesday. Brothers moved-up to sixth place. Newly promoted Mongolians keep the ninth position with 16 games lost. Brothers will meet at home Darkhan (#8) in the next round. Mongolians will play against Falcons and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Metal - Miners 54-88

No shocking result in a game in Ulaanbaatar where fourth ranked Miners (13-9) smashed bottom-ranked Metal (7-17) 88-54 on Tuesday. Miners have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 13-9 record. Metal lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 17 games lost. Miners will meet at home higher ranked Apes (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Metal will have a break next round.

Darkhan - Falcons 93-87

There was a minor upset in Darkhan where 6th ranked Falcons (9-14) were defeated by eighth ranked United (9-15) 93-87 on Wednesday. United maintains eighth position with 9-15 record. Falcons lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the seventh place with 14 games lost. Darkhan will meet higher ranked Brothers (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Falcons will play against Mongolians in Ulaanbaatar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Selenge - Xac Broncos 81-83

Fifth-ranked Bodons (12-12) made lots of trouble for second ranked Broncos (18-7) in Sukhbaatar on Wednesday. The visitors from Ulaanbaatar managed to secure only two-point victory 83-81. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Bodons. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Knights. Loser Bodons keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. Xac Broncos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Selenge will play against the league's second-placed Knights (#2) in Ulaanbaatar and hope to secure a win.