SBL Round 5 (Regular Season): Ohod win their first game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Ohod can celebrate their first win this season after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Tabuk, where they outplayed Deba (0-5) 92-67 on Monday. The best player for the winners was American guard Jonathon Simmons (198-1989, college: Houston) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ohod's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Ohod (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. It was Deba's fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Al Taawoun. Ohod is looking forward to face Al Taawoun (#11) in the next round. Deba will play against Al Wehda and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Undefeated leader Al Ahli delivered the fifth consecutive victory. This time they crushed 5th ranked Al Fateh (3-2) 96-77 in Jeddah. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Fateh. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds. Ali Shubayli contributed with 26 points and 5 assists (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. American-Dominican forward Edgar Sosa (189-1988, college: Louisville) answered with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for Al Fateh. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Undefeated Al Ahli (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with a perfect record of 5 victories in a row, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Al Wehda. Al Ahli will play against Al Salam (#8) in Al-Awamiyah in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Fateh will play on the road against Ittihad in Jeddah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 101-52 loss to sixth ranked Al Wehda (3-2) in on Monday evening. Donte McGill stepped up and scored 42 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for the winners. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players saving starting five for next games. Markus Loncar responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. Al Wehda moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Fateh. Al Taawoun lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Deba. Al Wehda will meet bottom-ranked Deba (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Taawoun will play against Ohod and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Safa lost to undefeated Al Nassr in Riyadh 67-86. Ittihad smashed Al Salam at home 100-79. Al Khaleej lost to undefeated Al Hilal on the opponent's court 65-103.
The best stats of 5th round was 19 points, 11 rebounds and 18 assists by Antwan Scott of Al Hilal.



Al Taawoun - Al Wehda 52-101

Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 101-52 loss to sixth ranked Al Wehda (3-2) in on Monday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Taawoun's 34. Al Wehda forced 21 Al Taawoun turnovers. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU, agency: Green Sports Management) stepped up and scored 42 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for the winners and Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in 28 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players saving starting five for next games. Bosnian center Markus Loncar (213-1996) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) scored 9 points and 5 rebounds. Al Wehda moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Fateh. Al Taawoun lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Deba. Al Wehda will meet bottom-ranked Deba (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Taawoun will play against Ohod and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: D.McGill 42+6reb+2ast, M.Samb 28+10reb+1ast, Q.Alaa 14+2reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 6+3reb+2ast, B.Hussam 6+3reb+1ast, A.Ayob 5+2reb
Al Taawoun: M.Loncar 16+10reb+1ast, A.Alwaleed 10+2reb, D.Gilmore 9+5reb+2ast, J.Barham 7+5reb, K.Mahmoud 5+2reb+3ast, B.Murad 2

Deba - Ohod 67-92

Ohod can celebrate their first win this season after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Tabuk, where they outplayed Deba (0-5) 92-67 on Monday. The best player for the winners was American guard Jonathon Simmons (198-1989, college: Houston) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ohod's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds and Eyad Alrashid added 7 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Ohod (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. It was Deba's fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Al Taawoun. Ohod is looking forward to face Al Taawoun (#11) in the next round. Deba will play against Al Wehda and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Ohod: J.Simmons 33+11reb+2ast, H.Sims 15+11reb+3ast, S.Mohammad 8+1reb+2ast, A.Mohammad 7+3reb+1ast, A.Alhosawi 6+3reb+1ast, F.Abdulrahman 6+1reb
Deba: J.Nicholas 30+10reb+3ast, A.Abdullah 11+5reb+2ast, J.Harris 10+4reb, A.Eyad 7+11reb, I.Suhail 6+4reb, H.Hassan 3+2reb+1ast

Al Ahli - Al Fateh 96-77

Undefeated leader Al Ahli delivered the fifth consecutive victory. This time they crushed 5th ranked Al Fateh (3-2) 96-77 in Jeddah. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Fateh. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Al Fateh's 36. Al Ahli players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds. The former international Ali Shubayli (190-1996) contributed with 26 points and 5 assists (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. American-Dominican forward Edgar Sosa (189-1988, college: Louisville) answered with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and American forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) added 13 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Al Fateh. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Al Ahli (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with a perfect record of 5 victories in a row, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Al Wehda. Al Ahli will play against Al Salam (#8) in Al-Awamiyah in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Fateh will play on the road against Ittihad in Jeddah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: A.Shubayli 26+2reb+5ast, D.Ebanks 25+8reb+2ast, D.Liggins 17+5reb+4ast, M.Almuwallad 11+4reb+6ast, M.Abdulrahman 6+2reb+1ast, K.Kadji 6
Al Fateh: A.Fairley 14+2reb+1ast, A.Campbell 13+5reb+1ast, E.Sosa 11+7reb+8ast, A.Ali 9+2ast, A.Saad 9+4reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 8+5reb+6ast

Al Nassr - Al Safa 86-67

There was no surprise in Riyadh where 8th ranked Al Safa (1-4) was crushed by leader Al Nassr (5-0) 86-67 on Monday. Al Nassr outrebounded Al Safa 47-28 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Nassr looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Al Safa's players. The game was dominated by American players. Carlton Bragg Jr. (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 30 rebounds for the winners and guard PJ Hardy (185-1998, college: Louisiana) chipped in 28 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Dallas Morgan (185, college: CMU) responded with 20 points and 5 rebounds and forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Al Safa's coach Vanja Gusa rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Nassr. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Al Safa dropped to the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Nassr will meet at home Al Khaleej (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Safa will play against the league's second-placed Al Hilal in Riyadh and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Nassr: C.Bragg Jr. 30+30reb, P.Hardy 28+6reb+7ast, A.Jallas Nasser 12+3reb+3ast, T.Almuhanna 9+1reb+4ast, K.Musab 5+4reb+4ast, P.Purifoy 2+1reb
Al Safa: D.Morgan 20+5reb, D.Dixson 14+5reb, I.Copeland 9+7reb+1ast, A.Rayan 9+7reb+1ast, A.Hassan 6+3ast, S.Rashad 4

Ittihad - Al Salam 100-79

No shocking result in a game in Jeddah where leader Ittihad (5-0) smashed 9th ranked Al Salam (1-4) 100-79 on Monday. Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) stepped up and scored 23 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import power forward Latavious Williams (203-1989) chipped in 17 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Five Ittihad players scored in double figures. American-Bahrain Wayne Chism (206-1987, college: Tennessee) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) scored 30 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Ittihad. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Salam lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Ittihad will meet at home Al Fateh (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Al Salam will play against the league's leader Al Ahli in Jeddah and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ittihad: K.Murphy 23+7reb+3ast, L.Williams 17+14reb+2ast, M.Almarwani 15+5reb+5ast, J.Edwards Jr. 15+3reb+9ast, A.Yasir 12+2reb+3ast, F.Abdulrahman 9+2reb
Al Salam: B.Spearman 30+9reb+3ast, W.Chism 28+15reb+4ast, Y.Fallatah 6+2ast, A.Bader 6+2reb+4ast, A.Nimer Hussain 5+1reb+3ast, T.Farmer 2

Al Hilal - Al Khaleej 103-65

Very expected game in Riyadh where 7th ranked Al Khaleej (1-4) was rolled over by leader Al Hilal (5-0) 103-65 on Monday. Al Hilal dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khaleej's 36. Al Hilal forced 22 Al Khaleej turnovers and outrebounded them 45-32 including 35 on the defensive glass. Al Hilal looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Al Khaleej's players. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) stepped up with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 18 assists for the winners and the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) chipped in 20 points and 11 rebounds. Four Al Hilal players scored in double figures. American point guard Anthony James (183-1989, college: UNI) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and Derek Cedor scored 19 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Hilal. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Hilal will meet at home Al Safa (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Khaleej will play against Al Nassr in Riyadh and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: A.Mohammed 20+11reb+1ast, A.Scott 19+11reb+18ast, D.Walton 15+2reb+4ast, K.McDaniels 14+10reb+1ast, N.Alabsi 9+4reb, O.Albargawi 9+4reb+1ast
Al Khaleej: A.James 21+12reb+2ast, C.Derek 19+3reb+2ast, A.Al-Darweesh 9+4reb+2ast, E.Ibrahim 5+3reb+1ast, N.Boungou-Colo 5+4reb+2ast, A.Mahdi 3+1reb+1ast