SBL Round 8: Al Nasr lose their first game against Al Ittihad

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Nasr (7-1) in Jeddah on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Al Ittihad (6-2) 98-89. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Al Nasr. Al Ittihad shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American DaJuan Summers (203-88, college: Georgetown, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-93) who added 18 points and 11 assists during the contest. The former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-90, college: Windsor) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. Al Ittihad have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 6-2 record. Defending champion Al Nasr still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Al Hilal and Ohod. Al Ittihad are looking forward to face Al Ansar (#5) in Medina in the next round. Al Nasr will play at home against Al Salam (#8) and is hoping to win this game.
Third ranked Ohod blasted bottom-ranked Abha (0-8) in Medina 109-68. Abha is still unable to win any game. The winners were led by American guard Shane Rector (188-94, college: Utah St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 14 rebounds and 7 assists and Khalid Boukichou supported him with 12 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. Ohod's coach Fuad Abou Chakra felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 22 points, 25 rebounds and 6 assists by American forward Tavares Sledge (203-92, college: USC Aiken, agency: PBAplayers Agency) did not help to save the game for Abha. Ohod have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Hilal and Al Nasr. Newly promoted Abha still closes the standings with eight games lost. Ohod will play against Al Wehda (#6) in Mecca in the next round where they are favorite. Abha will play at home against Al Hilal (#3) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Jeddah was also quite interesting. Second ranked Al Hilal (7-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Al Ahly (3-5). Al Hilal managed to secure a 6-point victory 89-83 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Antwan Scott who had a double-double by scoring 31 points, 9 rebounds and 13 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Fadi Ibrahim produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists for the hosts. Al Hilal keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Nasr and Ohod. Al Ahly lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Salam. Al Hilal will meet at home Al Nahda (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Ahly will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 8 Al Fateh lost to Al Salam on the opponent's court 91-97. Al Nahda was outscored by Al Ansar in a home game 63-86.

Al Ittihad - Al Nasr 98-89

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Nasr (7-1) in Jeddah on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Al Ittihad (6-2) 98-89. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Al Nasr. Al Ittihad shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American DaJuan Summers (203-88, college: Georgetown, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-93) who added 18 points and 11 assists during the contest. The former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-90, college: Windsor) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists and the former international forward Musab Kadi (-99) scored 20 points and 7 rebounds. Five Al Ittihad and four Al Nasr players scored in double figures. Al Ittihad have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 6-2 record. Defending champion Al Nasr still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Al Hilal and Ohod. Al Ittihad are looking forward to face Al Ansar (#5) in Medina in the next round. Al Nasr will play at home against Al Salam (#8) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Al Nasr: K.Abdel-Gabar 22+6reb+11ast, K.Musab 20+7reb, J.Al Kabe 19+4reb+4ast, M.Mawien 15+9reb, T.Almuhanna 8+1reb+1ast, A.Salem 3
Al Ittihad: D.Summers 28+13reb+5ast, A.Khalid 19+3reb, O.Abada 18+3reb+11ast, M.Almarwani 14+7reb+9ast, A.Yasir 14+3reb+2ast, M.Abdullah 4

Al Salam - Al Fateh 97-91

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Al-Awamiyah where 8th ranked Al Fateh (2-5) was defeated by ninth ranked Al Salam (3-5) 97-91 on Friday. The best player for the winners was American forward Nick Stover (198-93, college: USA) who had a double-double by scoring 31 points, 22 rebounds and 5 assists. Rashad Shouri chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). 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. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-90) produced a double-double by scoring 44 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds and Nigerian-American guard Michael Efevberha (195-84, college: CSUN) added 22 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Al Fateh's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Salam moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Al Ahly. Al Fateh at the other side dropped to the ninth position with five games lost. Al Salam will meet league's leader Al Nasr in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Fateh will play against Duba Club (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: M.Harat 44+19reb+3ast, M.Efevberha 22+1reb+4ast, A.Abdullah 13+1reb+1ast, M.Al-Saqer 5+9reb+6ast, A.Moussaad Mohamad 4+3reb+1ast, A.Khodeir Ali 2+1reb+2ast
Al Salam: N.Stover 31+22reb+5ast, A.Bader 21+2reb+1ast, S.Rashad 20+14reb+1ast, H.Alnamer 15+4reb+2ast, I.Mohammed 5+2reb+3ast, N.Sajjad Al 3+1reb+4ast

Al Nahda - Al Ansar 63-86

Very predictable result in Al Khobar where fifth ranked Al Ansar (5-3) smashed 10th ranked Al Nahda (1-6) 86-63 on Friday. Al Ansar forced 19 Al Nahda turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Armenian center Todd OBrien (211-89, college: UAB) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks. Libyan point guard Mohameed Elsadi (190-95) chipped in 32 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. American center Malik Wineglass (203-93, college: Harris-Stowe St.) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and Abdulmajeed Barnawi added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. 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 Ansar maintains fifth position with 5-3 record, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Nahda lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with six games lost. Al Ansar will meet at home higher ranked Al Ittihad (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Nahda will play against Al Hilal (#3) in Riyadh and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Nahda: M.Wineglass 25+11reb+4ast, B.Abdulmajeed 14+5reb+3ast, K.Abdulrahman 10+8reb+1ast, F.Fahad 8+7reb+4ast, A.Abdullah Othman 3, K.Marwan 3+6reb
Al Ansar: M.Elsadi 32+4reb+6ast, T.O'Brien 21+18reb+4ast, B.Ayman 19+7reb+7ast, A.Salman 5+1reb+4ast, A.Abdullah 3+3reb, F.Mostafa 2+1reb+1ast

Ohod - Abha 109-68

Third ranked Ohod blasted bottom-ranked Abha (0-8) in Medina 109-68. Abha is still unable to win any game. Ohod dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Abha's 26. Ohod forced 20 Abha turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The winners were led by American guard Shane Rector (188-94, college: Utah St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 14 rebounds and 7 assists and Moroccan-Belgian center Khalid Boukichou (208-92) supported him with 12 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. Five Ohod players scored in double figures. Ohod's coach Fuad Abou Chakra felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 22 points, 25 rebounds and 6 assists by American forward Tavares Sledge (203-92, college: USC Aiken, agency: PBAplayers Agency) did not help to save the game for Abha. Guard Mohaned Shabin added 21 points and 5 assists for the guests. Ohod have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Hilal and Al Nasr. Newly promoted Abha still closes the standings with eight games lost. Ohod will play against Al Wehda (#6) in Mecca in the next round where they are favorite. Abha will play at home against Al Hilal (#3) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Abha: T.Sledge 22+25reb+6ast, S.Mohaned 21+2reb+5ast, A.Mohannad 8, A.Sami 7+2reb, A.Rayan 5+4reb+3ast, H.Aiouz 3+5reb+2ast
Ohod: S.Rector 40+14reb+7ast, K.Boukichou 12+13reb+4ast, A.Mohammed 12+1reb+4ast, A.Abdulaziz 12+6reb+2ast, F.Abdulrahman 10+3reb+2ast, F.Belal 8+1ast

Al Ahly - Al Hilal 83-89

The game in Jeddah was also quite interesting. Second ranked Al Hilal (7-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Al Ahly (3-5). Al Hilal managed to secure a 6-point victory 89-83 on Friday. The best player for the winners was American guard Antwan Scott (185-92, college: Colorado St.) who had a double-double by scoring 31 points, 9 rebounds and 13 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). International center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-98) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Canadian-Jordanian guard Fadi Ibrahim (190-96, college: Tampa) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists and American forward Steve Taylor Jr (206-93, college: Toledo) added 16 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Hilal keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Nasr and Ohod. Al Ahly lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Salam. Al Hilal will meet at home Al Nahda (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Ahly will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: A.Shubayli 23+5reb+1ast, F.Ibrahim 23+5reb+13ast, S.Taylor Jr. 16+18reb+4ast, N.Althalabi 12+3reb, A.Abdulrahman 5+3reb+1ast, B.Murad 2
Al Hilal: A.Scott 31+9reb+13ast, A.Mohammed 20+13reb+1ast, H.Abbas 16+9reb+3ast, N.Alabsi 14+3reb+2ast, O.Albargawi 4, H.Zakaria 4+3reb



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