SBL Round 4: Al Hilal beat Al Wehda by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Al Wehda (1-3) used its home court advantage to challenge top-ranked Al Hilal (6-0) in Mecca on Friday. The visitors from Riyadh managed to secure only three-point victory 66-63. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-98) who helped to win the game recording 9 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. Palestinian-Jordanian power forward Hashem Abbas (198, college: FSC) contributed with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American-Bahrain Wayne Chism (206-87, college: Tennessee) replied with 13 points and 8 rebounds for Al Wehda. Undefeated Al Hilal have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Al Wehda lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Salam. Al Hilal are looking forward to face Al Ittihad (#5) in Jeddah in the next round. Al Wehda will play on the road against Abha (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Al Ahly's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after one consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Nahda (1-2) 71-67. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Steve Taylor Jr. (206-93, college: Toledo) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds and Fadi Ibrahim who added 24 points and 9 assists during the contest. Al Ahly's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side American center Malik Wineglass (203-93, college: Harris-Stowe St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). Despite that victory Al Ahly went down to sixth position due to points difference. Al Nahda at the other side keeps the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with Al Fateh. Al Ahly's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena .
Al Salam's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Abha, where they defeated Abha (0-4) 84-66 on Friday. The winners were led by Nick Stover who scored that evening 28 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 28 points and 21 rebounds by Tavares Sledge did not help to save the game for Abha. Al Salam (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Al Wehda. It was Abha's fourth loss in a row. Abha at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Duba Club. Al Salam will meet at home higher ranked Al Nahda (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Abha will play against Al Wehda and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Al Nasr beat Duba Club on the road 86-71. Al Fateh won against Al Ansar on its own court 68-62. Al Ittihad lost to undefeated Ohod in Medina 84-98.

Al Ahly - Al Nahda 71-67

Al Ahly's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after one consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Nahda (1-2) 71-67. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Steve Taylor Jr. (206-93, college: Toledo) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds and Canadian-Jordanian guard Fadi Ibrahim (190-96, college: Tampa) who added 24 points and 9 assists during the contest. Al Ahly's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side American center Malik Wineglass (203-93, college: Harris-Stowe St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and Abdulmajeed Barnawi scored 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Al Nahda players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Al Ahly went down to sixth position due to points difference. Al Nahda at the other side keeps the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with Al Fateh. Al Ahly's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena .
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: F.Ibrahim 24+3reb+9ast, S.Taylor Jr. 21+14reb+3ast, S.Hassan 9+2reb+2ast, B.Ayob 6+6reb, S.Mohammed 4+4reb+1ast, A.Shubayli 4+3reb+4ast
Al Nahda: M.Wineglass 22+10reb+3ast, A.Saad 11+1reb+1ast, K.Abdulrahman 10+6reb+1ast, B.Abdulmajeed 10+6reb+4ast, A.Turki 8+4reb+4ast, F.Fahad 6+3reb+4ast

Abha - Al Salam 66-84

Al Salam's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Abha, where they defeated Abha (0-4) 84-66 on Friday. The winners were led by American forward Nick Stover (198-93, college: USA) who scored that evening 28 points and 8 rebounds and Bader Alsulimani supported him with 18 points and 6 assists. Stover is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Al Salam players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 28 points and 21 rebounds by American forward Tavares Sledge (203-92, college: USC Aiken, agency: PBAplayers Agency) did not help to save the game for Abha. Tunisian Hamza Aiouz (-89) added 8 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Al Salam (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Al Wehda. It was Abha's fourth loss in a row. Abha at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Duba Club. Al Salam will meet at home higher ranked Al Nahda (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Abha will play against Al Wehda and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: N.Stover 28+8reb+2ast, A.Bader 18+4reb+6ast, I.Mohammed 14+4reb+1ast, K.Abuaboud 11+9reb, H.Alnamer 8+5reb+5ast, S.Rashad 4+5reb+1ast
Abha: T.Sledge 28+21reb+3ast, H.Aiouz 8+6reb+3ast, A.Sami 8+3reb+2ast, M.Fahad 8+3reb, A.Rayan 7+3reb+1ast, S.Mohaned 4+1reb+1ast

Duba Club - Al Nasr 71-86

No shocking result in a game when top-ranked Al Nasr (4-0) beat bottom-ranked Duba Club (0-4) in Tabuk 86-71 on Friday. Al Nasr forced 20 Duba Club turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 60.7 percentage. Al Nasr looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by South Sudanese power forward Makol Mawien (206-96, college: Kansas St., agency: BIG) who scored that evening 21 points and 7 rebounds and the former international Jaber Al Kabe (184-85) supported him with 21 points and 4 assists. Four Al Nasr players scored in double figures. Al Nasr's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds by Syrian forward Wael Jlilaty (199-90) did not help to save the game for Duba Club. Canadian Otas Iyekekpolor (203-96, college: Fort Lewis) added 16 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Al Nasr have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 4-0 record having 2 victories less than leader Al Hilal, which they share with Ohod. Newly promoted Duba Club still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Abha. Al Nasr will meet at home Ohod (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Duba Club will play against Al Ansar (#4) in Medina and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Nasr: M.Mawien 21+7reb+1ast, J.Al Kabe 21+2reb+4ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 13+5reb+8ast, H.Al Mohammed 10+1reb+1ast, T.Almuhanna 7+3reb+3ast, A.Yazid 6+1ast
Duba Club: W.Jlilaty 25+13reb+2ast, O.Iyekekpolor 16+12reb+3ast, A.Abdulmajeed 12+4reb+4ast, F.Hussain 8+2ast, A.Osama 4+4reb+2ast, A.Eyad 4+1ast

Al Fateh - Al Ansar 68-62

There was an upset when higher ranked Al Ansar (2-2) lost to ninth ranked Al Fateh (1-2) in Al Hasa 62-68 on Friday. The winners were led by Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-90) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 22 rebounds and swingman Ali Al Khodeir (187) supported him with 14 points and 4 assists. Even 27 points and 7 rebounds by Libyan point guard Mohameed Elsadi (190-95) did not help to save the game for Al Ansar. American-Armenian center Todd OBrien (211-89, college: UAB) added 13 points and 13 rebounds for lost side. Al Fateh left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with Al Nahda. Loser Al Ansar keeps the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Al Ittihad. Al Fateh will meet league's leader Al Hilal in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Ansar will play against Duba Club and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: M.Harat 35+22reb+2ast, A.Khodeir Ali 14+2reb+4ast, A.Abdullah 5+2reb+1ast, M.Al-Saqer 4+8reb+5ast, A.Altamar 4+2reb+5ast, A.Hesham 2
Al Ansar: M.Elsadi 27+7reb+1ast, T.O'Brien 13+13reb+1ast, B.Ayman 9+7reb+4ast, H.Hammam 6+4reb, Y.Fallatah 3+2reb+3ast, F.Mostafa 2+2reb+2ast

Ohod - Al Ittihad 98-84

Rather predictable result when top-ranked Ohod (4-0) won against 5th ranked Al Ittihad (2-2) in Medina 98-84 on Friday. Ohod made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American guard Shane Rector (188-94, college: Utah St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Nassir Abojalas (196-94) supported him with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Five Ohod players scored in double figures. Ohod's coach Fuad Abou Chakra used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds by the former international Mathna Almarwani (186-92) did not help to save the game for Al Ittihad. American DaJuan Summers (203-88, college: Georgetown, agency: BIG) added 27 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Ohod have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nasr. Loser Al Ittihad dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Al Ansar. Ohod will meet league's second-placed Al Nasr in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Ittihad will play against the league's leader Al Hilal and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ohod: S.Rector 34+10reb+4ast, N.Abojalas 21+9reb+1ast, K.Boukichou 16+7reb+2ast, F.Belal 14+3reb+3ast, A.Almukhtar 13+2reb+1ast, A.Abdulaziz 0+1reb
Al Ittihad: O.Abada 28+2reb+2ast, D.Summers 27+6reb+1ast, M.Almarwani 22+10reb+3ast, A.Khalid 4+1reb+1ast, M.Abdullah 3, A.Abdulmalek 0+2reb+1ast

Al Wehda - Al Hilal 63-66

Eighth-ranked Al Wehda (1-3) used its home court advantage to challenge top-ranked Al Hilal (6-0) in Mecca on Friday. The visitors from Riyadh managed to secure only three-point victory 66-63. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-98) who helped to win the game recording 9 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. Palestinian-Jordanian power forward Hashem Abbas (198, college: FSC) contributed with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American-Bahrain Wayne Chism (206-87, college: Tennessee) replied with 13 points and 8 rebounds and Egyptian guard Ramy Gunday (185-81) added 13 points and 5 assists in the effort for Al Wehda. Four Al Wehda players scored in double figures. Al Hilal have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Al Wehda lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Salam. Al Hilal are looking forward to face Al Ittihad (#5) in Jeddah in the next round. Al Wehda will play on the road against Abha (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: O.Albargawi 16+3reb+2ast, A.Scott 15+2reb+3ast, H.Abbas 13+7reb+5ast, A.Mohammed 9+22reb+3ast, N.Alabsi 8+4reb+2ast, A.Adel 3+1reb
Al Wehda: W.Chism 13+8reb+3ast, R.Gunday 13+1reb+5ast, F.Abdulrahman 12+3reb+1ast, M.AlMarwani 10+8reb, M.Thamer 7+7reb, A.Mohammed 6+4reb+6ast



Tags : MOHAMMED ALSUWAILEM, AL HILAL RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL