SBL Round 4: Al Nasr lose their first game against Duba Club

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was the first loss of Al Nasr (3-1) in Riyadh on Friday night. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Duba Club (2-2) 73-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Nasr. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Unique McLean (188, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 6 rebounds and Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) who added 22 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Musab Kadi (196-1999) responded with 26 points and 5 rebounds. Duba Club moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Duba Club is looking forward to face higher ranked Ohod (#5) in Medina in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Nasr will play on the road against Al Ansar in Medina and is hoping to win this game.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Jeddah: Al Ahly (#1) and Al Ittihad (#8). Despite it looked like an easy game for Al Ahly, those rules do not exist in derby games. It's more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Host Al Ittihad challenged much higher ranked Al Ahly giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by five points 74-69. The winners were led by American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who scored that evening 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and Devin Ebanks supported him with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 27 points and 4 assists by Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) did not help to save the game for Al Ittihad. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Al Ittihad at the other side keeps the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Ahly will play against Al Wehda (#6) in Mecca in the next round where they are favorite. Al Ittihad will play on the road against Al Salam in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Al Adalh (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to seventh ranked Al Wehda (2-2) 95-73 on Friday evening. Brian Halums fired 26 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Al Wehda's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Andrey Semenov produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Al Wehda moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Duba Club. Newly promoted Al Adalh still closes the standings with four games lost. Al Wehda will meet league's leader Al Ahly in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Adalh will play against Al-Taawon (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 4: Ohod won against Al-Taawon on the opponent's court 80-73. Al Fateh managed to outperform Al Salam in a home game 99-89. Al Ansar recorded a loss to Al Hilal on the road 101-91.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 38 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds by Clinton Chapman of Al Hilal.

Al Ittihad - Al Ahly 69-74

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Jeddah: Al Ahly (#1) and Al Ittihad (#8). Despite it looked like an easy game for Al Ahly, those rules do not exist in derby games. It's more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Host Al Ittihad challenged much higher ranked Al Ahly giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by five points 74-69. The winners were led by American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who scored that evening 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) supported him with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Al Ahly players scored in double figures. Even 27 points and 4 assists by Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) did not help to save the game for Al Ittihad. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) added 26 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Al Ittihad at the other side keeps the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Ahly will play against Al Wehda (#6) in Mecca in the next round where they are favorite. Al Ittihad will play on the road against Al Salam in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: M.Almuwallad 20+7reb+3ast, D.Liggins 20+8reb+6ast, D.Ebanks 20+7reb+4ast, A.Shubayli 11+5reb+1ast, A.Ayoub 3, K.Mohammed 0+4reb
Al Ittihad: O.Abada 27+3reb+4ast, M.Almarwani 26+6reb+2ast, A.Yasir 9+7reb+5ast, M.Bjelica 4+7reb+1ast, F.Abdullah 3+8reb+1ast, A.Abdulmalek 0

Al Nasr - Duba Club 71-73

The most surprising game was the first loss of Al Nasr (3-1) in Riyadh on Friday night. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Duba Club (2-2) 73-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Nasr. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Unique McLean (188, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 6 rebounds and Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) who added 22 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Musab Kadi (196-1999) responded with 26 points and 5 rebounds and American swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St.) scored 25 points. Duba Club moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Duba Club is looking forward to face higher ranked Ohod (#5) in Medina in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Nasr will play on the road against Al Ansar in Medina and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Duba Club: U.McLean 30+6reb+2ast, V.Koreniuk 22+10reb, K.Mahmoud 11+1reb+3ast, S.Rashad 6+10reb+3ast, A.Osama 4, A.Abdullah 0
Al Nasr: K.Musab 26+5reb+1ast, B.Austin 25+4reb+2ast, A.Campbell 14+8reb+3ast, J.Al Kabe 6+2reb+1ast, A.Turki 0, A.Ahmed 0+2reb

Al-Taawon - Ohod 73-80

Very expected game when 10th ranked Al-Taawon (1-3) was defeated at home by fifth ranked Ohod (3-1) 80-73 on Friday. Ohod outrebounded Al-Taawon 48-30 including a 33-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) fired a double-double by scoring 19 points and 21 rebounds for the winners. The other American import point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) chipped in 35 points (!!!). American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Domantay Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 31 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals and Serbian power forward Aleksandar Marelja (207-1992, agency: BeoBasket) added 18 points respectively for lost side. Ohod have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Al-Taawon dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Ohod will meet at home Duba Club (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Al-Taawon will play against Al Adalh and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ohod: J.Justice 35+2reb+1ast, J.Washington 19+21reb+1ast, F.Belal 9+4reb+5ast, N.Abojalas 7+7reb, S.Mohammad 6+4reb+2ast, A.Ahmed 4+8reb+2ast
Al-Taawon: D.Clark 31+17reb+4ast, A.Marelja 18+3reb+3ast, S.Almutairi 14+2reb+2ast, A.Ahmad 5+5reb+3ast, A.Mustafa 5+3reb+3ast, H.Hassan 0

Al Wehda - Al Adalh 95-73

Bottom-ranked Al Adalh (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to seventh ranked Al Wehda (2-2) 95-73 on Friday evening. Al Wehda dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Adalh's 40. American guard Brian Halums (196-1997, college: UAFS) fired 26 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. The other American import forward Justin Everett (206-1996, college: Humboldt St.) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds. Al Wehda's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Russian forward Andrey Semenov (200-1990, college: JMU) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) added 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Four Al Adalh players scored in double figures. Al Wehda moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Duba Club. Newly promoted Al Adalh still closes the standings with four games lost. Al Wehda will meet league's leader Al Ahly in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Adalh will play against Al-Taawon (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: B.Halums 26+6reb+3ast, J.Everett 20+6reb, M.AlMarwani 15+9reb+2ast, M.Thamer 8+2reb, F.Abdulrahman 7+2reb+5ast, B.Husam 6+2reb+2ast
Al Adalh: A.Semenov 24+12reb+2ast, I.Elajmi 22+9reb+4ast, A.Salman 11+2reb, A.Omran 11+8reb+2ast, A.Moayad 5+7reb, A.Ahmed 0

Al Fateh - Al Salam 99-89

Rather predictable result in Al Hasa where fourth ranked Al Fateh (3-1) defeated 7th ranked Al Salam (1-3) 99-89 on Friday. Al Fateh forced 20 Al Salam turnovers. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) fired a double-double by scoring 31 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American swingman Roderick Camphor (193-1992, college: SWOSU) chipped in 29 points. Al Fateh's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) produced a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import center Anthony McClain (211-1988, college: Cincinnati) added 26 points and 13 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Al Fateh moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Al Salam dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Al Fateh will meet at home Al Hilal (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Salam will play against Al Ittihad (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: M.Harat 31+17reb+5ast, R.Camphor 29+1reb+3ast, A.Mohammed 22+6reb+5ast, A.Saad 7+3reb, A.Altamar 6, A.Hazim 3+1reb+2ast
Al Salam: N.Stover 33+12reb+6ast, A.McClain 26+13reb, A.Bader 9+4reb+3ast, H.Alnamer 8+5reb+3ast, A.Hadi 6+1reb, I.Mohammed 6+3reb+1ast

Al Hilal - Al Ansar 101-91

Not a big story in a game in Riyadh where 8th ranked Al Ansar (1-3) was defeated by fifth ranked Al Hilal (3-1) 101-91 on Friday. Al Hilal looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas) fired a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds for the winners. Guard Mark Lyons (185-1989, college: Arizona) chipped in a double-double by scoring 28 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists. Al Hilal's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Gerard Tarin (206-1996, college: Nova SE) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 17 rebounds and guard Daishon Knight (185-1991, college: Illinois St., agency: BIG) added 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Four Al Ansar players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Ansar lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Al Hilal will meet league's second-placed Al Fateh in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Ansar will play against Al Nasr (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: C.Chapman 38+14reb+1ast, M.Lyons 28+7reb+13ast, O.Albargawi 15+6reb+5ast, H.Zakaria 9+3reb+2ast, N.Alabsi 6+9reb+1ast, A.Adel 5+1reb+1ast
Al Ansar: G.Tarin 30+17reb+1ast, D.Knight 26+5reb+5ast, I.Mustafa 12+6reb+2ast, A.Salman 10+4reb+3ast, S.Khaled 6+1reb, A.Ahmed 5+1reb



Tags : UNIQUE MCLEAN, DUBA CLUB, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL