SBL Round 9: Al Wehda beat Al Ittihad by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 9 in the SBL took place in Jeddah. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Al Ittihad (5-4) to seventh ranked Al Wehda (5-4) 81-78 in the game for the sixth place. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. It was a good game for American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) who led his team to a victory with 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) contributed with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American power forward Charles Rhodes (203-1985, college: MSU) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds for Al Ittihad. Al Wehda moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Al Ittihad. Al Wehda is looking forward to face Al Ansar (#11) in Medina in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Ittihad will play against Al-Taawon (#12) and is hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Al Ahly (9-0) which hosted in Jeddah 3rd placed Ohod (6-3). Leader Al Ahly had an easy win 106-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ohod. American players dominated the game. Forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU, agency: Interperformances) stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners and Deandre Liggins chipped in 29 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Al Ahly's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds. Undefeated Al Ahly have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Ohod at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with Al Hilal and Al Fateh. Al Ahly will play against Al Adalh (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ohod will play against Al Salam (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between sixth ranked Al Hilal (6-3) and 8th ranked Duba Club (3-6) in Riyadh on Friday ended with biggest points difference. Al Hilal outscored guests from Tabuk 108-74. Clinton Chapman nailed a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds for the winning side. Al Hilal's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Unique McLean came up with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds for Duba Club in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Hilal. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with Ohod and Al Fateh. Loser Duba Club keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Adalh. Al Hilal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Riyadh to the arena Al Nasr.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Al Ansar was smashed by Al Adalh on the road 90-70. Al Fateh destroyed Al-Taawon on its own court 88-69. Al Nasr managed to outperform Al Salam in Riyadh 83-72.

Al Adalh - Al Ansar 90-70

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Al Adalh (3-6) crushed at home 11th ranked Al Ansar (1-8) 90-70 on Thursday. Al Adalh dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ansar's 32. They outrebounded Al Ansar 50-37 including 35 on the defensive glass. Russian forward Andrey Semenov (200-1990, college: JMU) nailed a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) accounted for 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Al Adalh players scored in double figures. Guard Salman Almoulad came up with 25 points and Mustafa Ibrahim added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Al Ansar in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Al Adalh moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Duba Club. Al Ansar lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Al-Taawon. Al Adalh will meet at home league's leader Al Ahly in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Ansar will play against Al Wehda (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Adalh: A.Semenov 27+17reb+5ast, I.Elajmi 23+7reb+5ast, F.Aldawsari 11+5reb+7ast, A.Redha 10+2reb, S.Mohanned 7+3reb+1ast, A.Salman 6+7reb
Al Ansar: A.Salman 25+4reb+3ast, I.Mustafa 19+5reb+1ast, S.Khaled 10+2reb+3ast, A.Mohannad 6+6reb, A.Ahmed 4+6reb, A.Ahmed 3+2reb+1ast

Al Fateh - Al-Taawon 88-69

Very expected game when 12th ranked Al-Taawon (1-8) was smashed by fourth ranked Al Fateh (6-3) in Al Hasa 88-69 on Thursday. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al-Taawon's players. American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) accounted for 15 points and 8 rebounds. Five Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Al Fateh's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Ahmad Aljezani came up with 31 points and American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Domantay Sports) added 14 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Al-Taawon in the defeat. Al Fateh moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Hilal and Ohod. Al-Taawon lost their seventh game in a row. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. They share it with Al Ansar. Al Fateh will meet Duba Club (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al-Taawon will play against Al Ittihad and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: C.Thomas 20+10reb+4ast, H.Al Mohammed 18+5reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 15+3reb+7ast, M.Harat 15+8reb+3ast, A.Altamar 10+1reb+1ast, A.Khodeir Ali 5+1ast
Al-Taawon: A.Ahmad 31+4reb+2ast, A.Mustafa 14+9reb+1ast, D.Clark 14+15reb+4ast, S.Almutairi 6+3reb+3ast, A.Azhar 4+4reb, A.Ehab 0

Al Ahly - Ohod 106-80

An interesting game for Al Ahly (9-0) which hosted in Jeddah 3rd placed Ohod (6-3). Leader Al Ahly had an easy win 106-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ohod. Al Ahly players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU, agency: Interperformances) stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners and forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) chipped in 29 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Al Ahly's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) scored 22 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Ahly have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Ohod at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with Al Hilal and Al Fateh. Al Ahly will play against Al Adalh (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ohod will play against Al Salam (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: D.Ebanks 34+8reb+7ast, D.Liggins 29+5reb+7ast, M.Almuwallad 19+6reb+4ast, A.Shubayli 13+6reb+1ast, B.Ayman 7+2reb+2ast, S.Mohammed 4+3reb+2ast
Ohod: J.Washington 24+12reb, J.Justice 22+4reb+4ast, S.Mohammad 14+5reb+2ast, F.Belal 10+4reb+4ast, A.Ahmed 6+2reb, A.Almukhtar 4+4reb+2ast

Al Ittihad - Al Wehda 78-81

The most exciting game of round 9 in the SBL took place in Jeddah. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Al Ittihad (5-4) to seventh ranked Al Wehda (5-4) 81-78 in the game for the sixth place. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. It was a good game for American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) who led his team to a victory with 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) contributed with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American power forward Charles Rhodes (203-1985, college: MSU) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds and the former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) added 27 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Al Ittihad. Al Wehda moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Al Ittihad. Al Wehda is looking forward to face Al Ansar (#11) in Medina in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Ittihad will play against Al-Taawon (#12) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: C.Collins 34+5reb+3ast, D.Jackson 20+8reb+6ast, F.Abdulrahman 16+5reb+3ast, M.AlMarwani 6+10reb, B.Husam 3+2reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 2+4reb+3ast
Al Ittihad: M.Almarwani 27+7reb+3ast, O.Abada 25+4reb+4ast, C.Rhodes 22+16reb+1ast, F.Abdullah 4+7reb, A.Musallam 0, A.Abdullah 0+1ast

Al Salam - Al Nasr 72-83

Very predictable result when second ranked Al Nasr (7-2) won against 10th ranked Al Salam (2-7) in Al-Awamiyah 83-72 on Friday. Al Nasr made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Al Salam outrebounded Al Nasr 45-33 including 31 on the defensive glass. American players dominated also this game. Swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St.) nailed 31 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) accounted for 13 points and 13 rebounds. Four Al Nasr players scored in double figures. Forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) came up with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and center Anthony McClain (211-1988, college: Cincinnati) added 14 points and 23 rebounds respectively for Al Salam in the defeat. Al Salam's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Nasr maintains second place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Ahly. Loser Al Salam keeps the tenth position with seven games lost. Al Nasr'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:
Al Nasr: B.Austin 31+6reb+3ast, A.Jallas Nasser 14+3reb+1ast, A.Campbell 13+13reb+1ast, K.Musab 12+5reb+2ast, T.Almuhanna 6+2reb+2ast, A.Salem 4+3reb+2ast
Al Salam: N.Stover 29+9reb+5ast, A.McClain 14+23reb+2ast, A.Nimer Hussain 14+3reb+2ast, A.Bader 9+1reb+3ast, S.Rashad 3+3reb, A.Hadi 3+4reb+1ast

Al Hilal - Duba Club 108-74

The game between sixth ranked Al Hilal (6-3) and 8th ranked Duba Club (3-6) in Riyadh on Friday ended with biggest points difference. Al Hilal outscored guests from Tabuk 108-74. American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas) nailed a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Mark Lyons (185-1989, college: Arizona) accounted for 31 points and 6 assists. Al Hilal's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Unique McLean (188, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) came up with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds and Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) added 24 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Duba Club in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Hilal. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with Ohod and Al Fateh. Loser Duba Club keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Adalh. Al Hilal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Riyadh to the arena Al Nasr.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: C.Chapman 37+15reb+1ast, M.Lyons 31+4reb+6ast, A.Mohammed 12+3reb+1ast, O.Albargawi 8+4reb+3ast, N.Alabsi 5+4ast, A.Abbas Zaid 5+1reb+2ast
Duba Club: U.McLean 32+11reb+3ast, V.Koreniuk 24+14reb+2ast, H.Jassim 13+4reb+1ast, K.Mahmoud 3+7reb+1ast, H.Hisham 2+1reb+1ast, A.Ibrahim 0



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