SBL Round 8: Al Ahly beat Al Nasr in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Riyadh. Top-ranked Al Ahly faced second-ranked Al Nasr. Guests from Jeddah (8-0) defeated host Al Nasr (6-2) 79-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Nasr. The best player for the winners was American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) chipped in 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Khalid Almazeidi produced 9 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Undefeated Al Ahly have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the second place with two games lost. They share the position with Ohod. Al Ahly are looking forward to face Ohod (#3) in Medina in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Nasr will play on the road against Al Salam in Al-Awamiyah and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Another exciting game was played in Mecca between seventh ranked Al Wehda and 4th ranked Al Fateh where host Al Wehda (4-4) won against Al Fateh (5-3) 88-78. American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 32 points and 4 assists. Mohammed AlMarwani contributed with 11 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 16 rebounds for Al Fateh. Al Fateh's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Wehda maintains seventh position with 4-4 record. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. Al Wehda will play against higher ranked Al Ittihad (#5) in Jeddah in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Fateh will play against Al-Taawon and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Medina. Local Al Ansar (1-7) was outscored by fifth ranked Al Ittihad (5-3) 112-50 on Thursday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Omar Abada who helped to win the game recording 39 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 9 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Al Ittihad's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mustafa Ibrahim responded with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Al Ittihad have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Hilal and Al Fateh. Al Ansar lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Al-Taawon. Al Ittihad will meet at home Al Wehda (#7) in the next round. Al Ansar will play against Al Adalh (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 8 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Adalh was crushed by Ohod in Medina 121-90. Al-Taawon lost to defending champion Al Hilal at home 93-105. Al Salam was destroyed by Duba Club on the opponent's court 61-103.
The best stats of 8th round was 29 points and 5 rebounds by Unique McLean of Duba Club.

Al Ansar - Al Ittihad 50-112

The game with biggest result difference took place in Medina. Local Al Ansar (1-7) was outscored by fifth ranked Al Ittihad (5-3) 112-50 on Thursday night. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ansar's 18. They outrebounded Al Ansar 46-22 including a 37-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Ansar's players. Worth to mention a quality performance of Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) who helped to win the game recording 39 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 9 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and American power forward Charles Rhodes (203-1985, college: MSU) who added 21 points and 20 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. Al Ittihad's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mustafa Ibrahim responded with 21 points and 5 rebounds and guard Salman Almoulad scored 9 points and 6 assists. Al Ittihad have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Hilal and Al Fateh. Al Ansar lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Al-Taawon. Al Ittihad will meet at home Al Wehda (#7) in the next round. Al Ansar will play against Al Adalh (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: O.Abada 39+8reb+9ast, C.Rhodes 21+20reb+3ast, A.Abdelmalek 18+2reb+3ast, A.Yasir 17+1reb+4ast, A.Abdullah 5+2reb+3ast, A.Abdulelah 5
Al Ansar: I.Mustafa 21+5reb+2ast, S.Khaled 9+5reb+1ast, A.Salman 9+4reb+6ast, A.Ahmed 6+1reb, A.Abdulrahman 3+1reb, A.Mohannad 2+1reb+1ast

Ohod - Al Adalh 121-90

There was no surprise in Medina where 8th ranked Al Adalh (2-6) was crushed by fourth ranked Ohod (6-2) 121-90 on Thursday. Ohod dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Al Adalh's 48. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) who added 35 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Ohod players scored in double figures. Russian forward Andrey Semenov (200-1990, college: JMU) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds and Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) scored 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Ohod moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nasr. Newly promoted Al Adalh dropped to the ninth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Salam. Ohod will meet league's leader Al Ahly in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Adalh will play against Al Ansar (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: J.Justice 43+10reb+7ast, J.Washington 35+5reb+1ast, F.Belal 12+5reb+8ast, A.Almukhtar 10+7reb+2ast, F.Abdulrahman 7+4reb+1ast, S.Mohammad 7+3reb+2ast
Al Adalh: A.Semenov 27+15reb, I.Elajmi 26+5reb+5ast, S.Mahmoud 12+3reb+3ast, A.Salman 9, A.Moayad 8+9reb+1ast, S.Mohanned 8+1reb+7ast

Al Nasr - Al Ahly 71-79

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Riyadh. Top-ranked Al Ahly faced second-ranked Al Nasr. Guests from Jeddah (8-0) defeated host Al Nasr (6-2) 79-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Nasr. The best player for the winners was American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) chipped in 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Al Ahly players scored in double figures. Forward Khalid Almazeidi produced 9 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Musab Kadi (196-1999) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Al Ahly have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the second place with two games lost. They share the position with Ohod. Al Ahly are looking forward to face Ohod (#3) in Medina in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Nasr will play on the road against Al Salam in Al-Awamiyah and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: M.Almuwallad 22+6reb+4ast, D.Ebanks 18+6reb+3ast, A.Shubayli 17+3reb+1ast, D.Liggins 15+13reb+5ast, B.Ayman 7+3reb, A.Nawaf 0
Al Nasr: A.Jallas Nasser 18+3reb+1ast, K.Musab 18+6reb+3ast, B.Austin 14+2reb+2ast, A.Khalid 9+14reb+4ast, J.Al Kabe 8+1reb+2ast, T.Almuhanna 3+4reb+1ast

Al-Taawon - Al Hilal 93-105

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Al Hilal (5-3) defeated on the road bottom-ranked Al-Taawon (1-7) 105-93 on Friday. Al Hilal dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Al-Taawon's 40. They outrebounded Al-Taawon 42-28 including a 33-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Hilal looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import guard Mark Lyons (185-1989, college: Arizona) who added 27 points and 9 assists during the contest. Al Hilal's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Domantay Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 7 assists and Serbian power forward Aleksandar Marelja (207-1992, agency: BeoBasket) scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Ittihad and Al Fateh. Al-Taawon lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom position with seven games lost. They share it with Al Ansar. Al Hilal will meet at home Duba Club (#8) in the next round. Al-Taawon will play against Al Fateh (#4) in Al Hasa and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: C.Chapman 30+13reb+6ast, M.Lyons 27+3reb+9ast, A.Mohammed 18+10reb+5ast, O.Albargawi 18+7reb+3ast, N.Alabsi 5+2reb+1ast, A.Abbas Zaid 5+2reb
Al-Taawon: D.Clark 35+11reb+7ast, A.Marelja 24+9reb+5ast, S.Almutairi 22+2reb+5ast, A.Mustafa 10+1reb+1ast, A.Abdullah 2+4reb+6ast, A.Khalid 0

Al Wehda - Al Fateh 88-78

Another exciting game was played in Mecca between seventh ranked Al Wehda and 4th ranked Al Fateh where host Al Wehda (4-4) won against Al Fateh (5-3) 88-78. Al Wehda players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 32 points and 4 assists. The former international center Mohammed AlMarwani (206-1989) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Five Al Wehda players scored in double figures. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 16 rebounds and Mohammed Alsaqer added 13 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Al Fateh. Al Fateh's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Wehda maintains seventh position with 4-4 record. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. Al Wehda will play against higher ranked Al Ittihad (#5) in Jeddah in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Fateh will play against Al-Taawon and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: C.Collins 32+2reb+4ast, D.Jackson 13+6reb+6ast, F.Abdulrahman 12+4reb+4ast, M.AlMarwani 11+15reb+2ast, M.Thamer 10+3reb+1ast, B.Husam 5+3reb+4ast
Al Fateh: M.Harat 31+16reb+3ast, C.Thomas 21+9reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 13+8reb+12ast, A.Hazim 3+2reb, A.Abdullah 2+1ast, A.Altamar 2+3ast

Duba Club - Al Salam 103-61

Everything could happen in Tabuk at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Duba Club and 8th ranked Al Salam had identical 2-5 record. This time Duba Club used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from Al-Awamiyah 103-61 on Friday night. Duba Club dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 42. They outrebounded Al Salam 39-24 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Unique McLean (188, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 5 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) who added 22 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Five Duba Club players scored in double figures. American center Anthony McClain (211-1988, college: Cincinnati) responded with 13 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) scored 13 points. Al Salam's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Duba Club (3-5) moved-up to eighth place. Loser Al Salam dropped to the ninth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Adalh. Duba Club will meet higher ranked Al Hilal (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Salam will play against the league's second-placed Al Nasr and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Duba Club: U.McLean 29+5reb+2ast, V.Koreniuk 22+11reb, A.Abdullah 14+3reb+5ast, H.Jassim 13+2reb+2ast, I.Suhail 13+9reb+1ast, F.Hussain 5+1ast
Al Salam: N.Stover 13+3reb+1ast, A.McClain 13+6reb, I.Mohammed 9, I.Muamial 8+1reb, H.Alnamer 8+3reb+2ast, S.Rashad 6+6reb+1ast



Tags : DEANDRE LIGGINS, AL AHLY JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL