SBL Round 7: Al Nasr keeps a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Al Nasr as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Nasr smashed 10th ranked Al Nahda in Riyadh 103-63. They outrebounded Al Nahda 47-33 including a 38-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Nasr looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Nahda's players. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-90, college: Windsor) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists. South Sudanese power forward Makol Mawien (206-96, college: Kansas St., agency: BIG) contributed with 21 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. American center Malik Wineglass (203-93, college: Harris-Stowe St.) answered with 10 points and 8 rebounds for Al Nahda. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Al Nasr (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Al Nahda lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with five games lost. Al Nahda will play next round against Al Ansar trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Nasr will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Al Ittihad in Jeddah.
Al Hilal (6-1) recorded its first loss in Riyadh. Hosts were edged by third ranked Ohod (6-1) 100-98. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was a great evening for American guard Shane Rector (188-94, college: Utah St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). Khalid Boukichou helped adding 16 points and 13 rebounds. At the losing side international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-98) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 19 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Ohod moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Al Hilal. Ohod will play against bottom-ranked Abha (#12) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Hilal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riyadh Al Hilal.
A very close game took place in Medina between Al Ansar and Al Ahly. Fifth ranked Al Ansar (4-3) got a very close home victory over 8th ranked Al Ahly (3-4). Al Ansar managed to escape with a 1-point win 76-75 on Monday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Todd OBrien who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. Steve Taylor Jr came up with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 19 rebounds for Al Ahly in the defeat. Al Ansar maintains fifth place with 4-3 record, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Ahly lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. Al Ansar will meet Al Nahda (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Ahly will have a break next round.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Bottom-ranked Duba Club beat Abha on the road 71-68. Al Fateh lost to Al Wehda on its own court 70-77. Al Ittihad managed to outperform Al Salam in Jeddah 86-79.

Al Nasr - Al Nahda 103-63

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Al Nasr as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Nasr smashed 10th ranked Al Nahda in Riyadh 103-63. They outrebounded Al Nahda 47-33 including a 38-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Nasr looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Nahda's players. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-90, college: Windsor) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists. South Sudanese power forward Makol Mawien (206-96, college: Kansas St., agency: BIG) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. Four Al Nasr players scored in double figures. American center Malik Wineglass (203-93, college: Harris-Stowe St.) answered with 10 points and 8 rebounds and Abdulmajeed Barnawi added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Al Nahda. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Nasr (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Al Nahda lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with five games lost. Al Nahda will play next round against Al Ansar trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Nasr will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Al Ittihad in Jeddah.
Top scorers:
Al Nasr: K.Abdel-Gabar 24+8reb+12ast, K.Musab 22+9reb+3ast, M.Mawien 21+17reb+1ast, T.Almuhanna 15+2reb+5ast, J.Al Kabe 9+3reb+3ast, H.Raed 4+2reb
Al Nahda: A.Saad 11+1reb+1ast, M.Wineglass 10+8reb+1ast, K.Marwan 9+4reb, B.Abdulmajeed 9+5reb+4ast, A.Rashed 8+1reb, F.Fahad 5+8reb+2ast

Abha - Duba Club 68-71

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Duba Club and bottom-ranked Abha had identical 0-6 record. But Abha was not able to use a home court advantage and was edged by the opponent from Tabuk 71-68 on Monday night. Duba Club outrebounded Abha 38-26 including a 34-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for Syrian forward Wael Jlilaty (199-90) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. Canadian Otas Iyekekpolor (203-96, college: Fort Lewis) accounted for 11 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. Iyekekpolor is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Duba Club players scored in double figures. American forward Tavares Sledge (203-92, college: USC Aiken, agency: PBAplayers Agency) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and Tunisian Hamza Aiouz (-89) added 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Abha in the defeat. Duba Club (1-6) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. It was Abha's seventh loss in a row. Abha at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with seven games lost. Duba Club will meet at home higher ranked Al Wehda (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Abha will play against Ohod (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Duba Club: W.Jlilaty 24+11reb, A.Abdulmajeed 14+3reb+3ast, O.Iyekekpolor 11+12reb+1ast, A.Osama 10+7reb, A.Abdullah 6+2reb+3ast, A.Omar 6+3reb
Abha: T.Sledge 23+10reb+2ast, H.Aiouz 21+7reb+4ast, A.Rayan 11+1reb+2ast, A.Mohannad 8+2reb, A.Abdullah 2, M.Fahad 2+1reb+1ast

Al Fateh - Al Wehda 70-77

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Al Fateh's (2-4) home loss to seventh ranked Al Wehda (4-3) in Al Hasa 70-77 on Monday. Al Wehda forced 19 Al Fateh turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for Egyptian guard Ramy Gunday (185-81) who led the winners and scored 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international center Mohammed AlMarwani (206-89) accounted for 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-90) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds and Nigerian-American guard Michael Efevberha (195-84, college: CSUN) added 24 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Al Fateh in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Wehda. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Ansar. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the eighth position with four games lost. Al Wehda will meet Duba Club (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Fateh will play against Al Salam in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: R.Gunday 26+7reb+5ast, M.AlMarwani 17+9reb, W.Chism 12+9reb, F.Abdulrahman 8+3reb+3ast, M.Thamer 6+4reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 5+2ast
Al Fateh: M.Harat 24+15reb+2ast, M.Efevberha 24+12reb+3ast, A.Khodeir Ali 10, M.Al-Saqer 7+5reb+9ast, A.Moussaad Mohamad 5, A.Hesham 0

Al Salam - Al Ittihad 79-86

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Al Ittihad (5-2) won against 9th ranked Al Salam (2-5) in Al-Awamiyah 86-79 on Monday. Al Ittihad outrebounded Al Salam 45-33 including 18 on the offensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-93) who led the winners and scored 36 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-92) accounted for 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. American forward Nick Stover (198-93, college: USA) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists and Bader Alsulimani added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Al Salam in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Ittihad. They maintain fourth place with 5-2 record. Newly promoted Al Salam keeps the ninth position with five games lost. Al Ittihad will meet at home league's leader Al Nasr in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Salam will play against Al Fateh (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: O.Abada 36+7reb+3ast, M.Almarwani 22+8reb+5ast, A.Khalid 13+7reb, F.Abdullah 6+11reb, A.Yasir 5+3reb+1ast, M.Abdullah 4+4reb+1ast
Al Salam: N.Stover 24+17reb+6ast, A.Bader 19+5reb+1ast, I.Mohammed 9+3reb+3ast, A.Hadi 9+2reb, N.Sajjad Al 8+3reb+3ast, H.Alnamer 5+2reb+8ast

Al Ansar - Al Ahly 76-75

A very close game took place in Medina between Al Ansar and Al Ahly. Fifth ranked Al Ansar (4-3) got a very close home victory over 8th ranked Al Ahly (3-4). Al Ansar managed to escape with a 1-point win 76-75 on Monday evening. Al Ansar looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American-Armenian center Todd OBrien (211-89, college: UAB) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. Libyan point guard Mohameed Elsadi (190-95) accounted for 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. American forward Steve Taylor Jr (206-93, college: Toledo) came up with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 19 rebounds and Canadian-Jordanian guard Fadi Ibrahim (190-96, college: Tampa) added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Al Ahly in the defeat. Four Al Ahly players scored in double figures. Al Ansar maintains fifth place with 4-3 record, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Ahly lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. Al Ansar will meet Al Nahda (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Ahly will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Al Ansar: M.Elsadi 23+8reb+5ast, T.O'Brien 21+15reb+2ast, B.Ayman 11+3reb+8ast, A.Salman 9+1reb, F.Mostafa 6+3reb+3ast, Y.Fallatah 4+1reb+3ast
Al Ahly: S.Taylor Jr. 28+19reb+2ast, F.Ibrahim 15+6reb+5ast, A.Shubayli 14+3reb+1ast, A.Abdulrahman 14+3reb+2ast, N.Althalabi 2+3reb, Q.Mohammed 2+1reb+1ast

Al Hilal - Ohod 98-100

Undefeated Al Hilal (6-1) recorded its first loss in Riyadh. Hosts were edged by third ranked Ohod (6-1) 100-98. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Ohod made 19-of-22 charity shots (86.4 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American guard Shane Rector (188-94, college: Utah St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). Moroccan-Belgian center Khalid Boukichou (208-92) helped adding 16 points and 13 rebounds. At the losing side international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-98) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 19 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and American guard Antwan Scott (185-92, college: Colorado St., agency: Duran International) scored 32 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Five Ohod and four Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Ohod moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Al Hilal. Ohod will play against bottom-ranked Abha (#12) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Hilal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riyadh Al Hilal.
Top scorers:
Ohod: S.Rector 40+10reb+2ast, K.Boukichou 16+13reb+1ast, N.Abojalas 15+7reb, A.Almukhtar 15+6reb+2ast, F.Belal 12+2reb+4ast, A.Ahmed 2+1reb
Al Hilal: A.Scott 32+6reb+9ast, A.Mohammed 26+19reb+2ast, N.Alabsi 20+3reb+1ast, H.Abbas 15+2reb+3ast, O.Albargawi 5+5reb+4ast, M.Ahmed 0



Tags : KHALID ABDEL-GABAR, AL NASR RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL