SBL Round 14: Undefeated Al Ahli loses their first game against Al Fateh

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Al Ahli (12-1) in Al Hasa on Friday night. Visitors were edged by fourth ranked Al Fateh (10-4) 70-67. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Al Ahli. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 18 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Mohammed Alsaqer chipped in 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals during the contest. American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds. Al Fateh maintains fourth position with 10-4 record. Al Ahli at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. Al Fateh are looking forward to face Al Salam (#9) in Al-Awamiyah in the next round where they are favorite. Al Ahli's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Ittihad.
The game in Mecca was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Ohod (11-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Al Wehda (8-6). Ohod managed to secure a 9-point victory 86-77. American point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) notched 34 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Fahad Belal supported him with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Even a double-double of 34 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds by American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) did not help to save the game for Al Wehda. Ohod have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr. Al Wehda at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Ohod will play against Al Taawoun (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Wehda will play against Al Adalah (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Eleventh-ranked Al Taawoun (2-12) gave a tough game to third ranked Al Nassr (11-3) in Riyadh on Friday. Al Nassr managed to secure only two-point victory 68-66. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was Antonio Campbell who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Darious Clark produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. Al Nassr have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Ohod. Newly promoted Al Taawoun keeps the eleventh position with 12 games lost. Al Nassr will meet Deba (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Al Taawoun will play against Ohod in Medina and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 14 Al Adalah lost to Ittihad on the opponent's court 81-87. Al Hilal outscored Al Salam in a home game 101-81.

Al Wehda - Ohod 77-86

The game in Mecca was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Ohod (11-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Al Wehda (8-6). Ohod managed to secure a 9-point victory 86-77. Strangely Al Wehda outrebounded Ohod 46-33 including 31 on the defensive glass. American point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) notched 34 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Fahad Belal (181-1991) supported him with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Even a double-double of 34 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds by American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) did not help to save the game for Al Wehda. His fellow American import point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) added 3 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ohod have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr. Al Wehda at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Ohod will play against Al Taawoun (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Wehda will play against Al Adalah (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Ohod: J.Justice 34+8reb+3ast, S.Mohammad 19+2reb+2ast, F.Belal 14+7reb+11ast, J.Washington 12+10reb, A.Almukhtar 5+2reb, A.Ahmed 2+4reb+1ast
Al Wehda: D.Jackson 34+17reb+3ast, F.Abdulrahman 13+3reb+3ast, B.Husam 12+4reb, M.AlMarwani 11+10reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 4, C.Collins 3+8reb+11ast

Ittihad - Al Adalah 87-81

Rather expected game in Jeddah where 10th ranked Al Adalah (3-11) was defeated by seventh ranked Ittihad (7-7) 87-81 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) who scored 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Ittihad players scored in double figures. Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) produced 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Russian forward Andrey Semenov (200-1990, college: JMU) added 15 points and 13 rebounds respectively for the guests. Ittihad maintains seventh position with 7-7 record. Al Adalah lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth place with 11 games lost. Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Ittihad: O.Abada 34+6reb+6ast, M.Almarwani 22+12reb+4ast, C.Rhodes 14+4reb+1ast, A.Abdelmalek 11+1reb+2ast, A.AlMadani 2, A.Yasir 2+3ast
Al Adalah: I.Elajmi 24+5reb+4ast, A.Semenov 15+13reb+1ast, A.Moayad 14+8reb+1ast, S.Mahmoud 9+3ast, S.Mohanned 9+2reb+3ast, A.Saqer Khalid 6+2reb+2ast

Al Fateh - Al Ahli 70-67

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Al Ahli (12-1) in Al Hasa on Friday night. Visitors were edged by fourth ranked Al Fateh (10-4) 70-67. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Al Ahli. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 18 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Mohammed Alsaqer chipped in 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals during the contest. American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds and the former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Al Fateh maintains fourth position with 10-4 record. Al Ahli at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. Al Fateh are looking forward to face Al Salam (#9) in Al-Awamiyah in the next round where they are favorite. Al Ahli's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Ittihad.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: M.Harat 29+18reb+2ast, H.Al Mohammed 13+2reb, A.Mohammed 9+6reb+4ast, F.Jones 8+3reb, A.Saad 3+1reb, A.Altamar 2
Al Ahli: D.Liggins 29+14reb+1ast, A.Shubayli 12+4reb+1ast, M.Almuwallad 12+5reb+10ast, K.Josephs 12+3reb+4ast, S.Mohammed 2+6reb, A.Ayoub 0

Al Hilal - Al Salam 101-81

Rather predictable result in Riyadh where fifth ranked Al Hilal (9-6) smashed 9th ranked Al Salam (4-10) 101-81 on Friday. Al Hilal dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 38. They outrebounded Al Salam 40-28 including a 31-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Hilal looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Salam's players. The best player for the winners was American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds. International center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) chipped in 23 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Al Hilal's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) produced 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and his fellow American import center Anthony McClain (211-1988, college: Cincinnati) added 22 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 9-6 record. Loser Al Salam keeps the ninth place with ten games lost. Al Hilal will meet bottom-ranked Al Ansar (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Salam will play against Al Fateh and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: C.Chapman 34+16reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 23+8reb+3ast, H.Zakaria 15+4reb+1ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 11+4reb+16ast, O.Albargawi 10+5reb+5ast, I.Mustafa 5+3reb
Al Salam: N.Stover 33+7reb+6ast, A.McClain 22+9reb, A.Bader 11+5reb+2ast, A.Nimer Hussain 8+1reb+2ast, S.Rashad 4+4reb, A.Hadi 3+2reb

Al Nassr - Al Taawoun 68-66

Eleventh-ranked Al Taawoun (2-12) gave a tough game to third ranked Al Nassr (11-3) in Riyadh on Friday. Al Nassr managed to secure only two-point victory 68-66. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was American forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Nasser Abo Jallas chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Domantay Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists and Serbian power forward Aleksandar Marelja (207-1992, agency: BeoBasket) added 16 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Nassr have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Ohod. Newly promoted Al Taawoun keeps the eleventh position with 12 games lost. Al Nassr will meet Deba (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Al Taawoun will play against Ohod in Medina and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Nassr: A.Campbell 14+12reb+3ast, A.Jallas Nasser 13+11reb+1ast, B.Austin 12+2reb+6ast, T.Almuhanna 10+4reb+3ast, K.Musab 10+10reb+1ast, A.Salem 9+5reb+4ast
Al Taawoun: D.Clark 25+15reb+5ast, A.Marelja 16+11reb+3ast, S.Almutairi 10+5reb+1ast, A.Ahmad 10+7reb+3ast, A.Mustafa 5+2reb+3ast, A.Azhar 0



Tags : MOHAMED HARAT, AL FATEH AL HASA, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL