SBL Round 9 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Al Hilal (8-1) against third ranked Ittihad (8-1) 88-81 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Al Hilal. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was a good game for American center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) contributed with 21 points for the winners. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) answered with 20 points and 4 assists for Al Hilal. Ittihad moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Al Hilal. Al Hilal will play next round against Al Ahli trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Ittihad will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Al Nassr in Riyadh.
Important game to mention about took place in . Fifth ranked Al Wehda (6-3) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Al Khaleej (3-6) 82-80 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Khaleej. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU, agency: Green Sports Management) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Mamadou Samb chipped in 19 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Congolese-French forward Nobel Boungou-Colo (202-1988) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds. Al Wehda moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Safa. Al Wehda will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Khaleej will play on the road against Ohod in Medina and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Al Nassr (9-0) which played road game in Jeddah against 4th placed Al Ahli (6-3). Leader Al Nassr had an easy win 89-73. American players dominated the game. Carlton Bragg Jr nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds for the winning side. Deandre Liggins came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds for Al Ahli in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Al Nassr have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Al Ahli lost third consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Wehda. Al Nassr will meet at home league's second-placed Ittihad in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Ahli will play against Al Hilal in Riyadh and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Al Salam beat Al Taawoun on the road 71-59. Winless Deba was destroyed by Al Fateh on its own court 54-112. Ohod managed to outperform Al Safa in Medina 98-90.
The most impressive performance of 9th round was 27 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists by Deng Deng of Ohod.



Al Ahli - Al Nassr 73-89

An interesting game for Al Nassr (9-0) which played road game in Jeddah against 4th placed Al Ahli (6-3). Leader Al Nassr had an easy win 89-73. American players dominated the game. Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds for the winning side and guard PJ Hardy (185-1998, college: Louisiana) accounted for 21 points. Forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds and Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) added 20 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Al Ahli in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Nassr have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Al Ahli lost third consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Wehda. Al Nassr will meet at home league's second-placed Ittihad in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Ahli will play against Al Hilal in Riyadh and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: H.Thompson 20+6reb+2ast, D.Liggins 16+15reb+3ast, A.Shubayli 15+4reb+2ast, M.Abdulrahman 13+3reb+2ast, A.Salman 3+1reb, S.Mohammed 2+2reb
Al Nassr: C.Bragg Jr. 22+16reb+1ast, P.Hardy 21+2reb+3ast, P.Purifoy 20+5reb+1ast, H.Raed 13+3reb+1ast, T.Almuhanna 6+4reb+9ast, A.Jallas Nasser 5+6reb+2ast

Al Taawoun - Al Salam 59-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with tenth ranked Al Salam's (2-7) road victory over bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-9) 71-59 on Friday. American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) nailed 29 points for the winning side and his fellow American import center Malik Wineglass (203-1993, college: Harris-Stowe St.) accounted for 20 points and 10 rebounds. Spearman is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Bosnian center Markus Loncar (213-1996) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) added 15 points respectively for Al Taawoun in the defeat. Four Al Taawoun players scored in double figures. Al Salam maintains tenth place with 2-7 record. Al Taawoun lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. They share the position with Deba. Al Salam will meet at home bottom-ranked Deba (#12) in the next round. Al Taawoun will play against Al Fateh in Al Hasa and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Taawoun: M.Loncar 16+16reb+2ast, D.Gilmore 15+1reb+3ast, A.Alwaleed 11+6reb, B.Murad 10+2reb+2ast, K.Mahmoud 5+3reb+5ast, A.Abdullah 2+1reb+2ast
Al Salam: B.Spearman 29+4reb+1ast, M.Wineglass 20+10reb+1ast, A.Bader 11+3reb+1ast, E.Fawaz 6+1reb+1ast, A.Osama 3+1reb+1ast, A.Hadi 2

Deba - Al Fateh 54-112

Very expected game when bottom-ranked Deba (0-9) was smashed by seventh ranked Al Fateh (4-5) in Tabuk 112-54 on Friday. Al Fateh dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Deba's 34. They outrebounded Deba 45-22 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Deba's players. American forward Anthony Fairley (203-1999, college: Miles) nailed a double-double by scoring 17 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals for the winning side and swingman Ali Al-Khodeir (187) accounted for 19 points and 6 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Five Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Forward Mohammed Alsaqer came up with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Mohammed Majrashi added 7 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Deba in the defeat. Al Fateh maintains seventh place with 4-5 record. Deba lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. They share the position with Al Taawoun. Al Fateh will meet at home Al Taawoun (#11) in the next round. Deba will play against Al Salam in Al-Awamiyah and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Deba: A.Mohammed 16+6reb+4ast, I.Suhail 9+1reb+2ast, A.Abdullah 9+3reb+3ast, M.Mohammed 7+10reb, H.Fahd 7, A.Ghareeb 4+2reb+3ast
Al Fateh: A.Ali 19+3reb+6ast, A.Al-Tamamr 17+3reb+2ast, E.Sosa 17+1reb+8ast, A.Fairley 17+15reb+5ast, F.Khalid 14+8reb+4ast, A.Hesham 11+5reb+6ast

Ittihad - Al Hilal 88-81

First defeat of league's leader Al Hilal (8-1) against third ranked Ittihad (8-1) 88-81 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Al Hilal. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was a good game for American center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) contributed with 21 points for the winners. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) answered with 20 points and 4 assists and the other American import forward Dantez Walton (200-1997, college: NKU) added 16 points and 4 assists in the effort for Al Hilal. Four Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Ittihad moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Al Hilal. Al Hilal will play next round against Al Ahli trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Ittihad will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Al Nassr in Riyadh.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: A.Scott 20+3reb+4ast, D.Walton 16+3reb+4ast, O.Albargawi 14+3reb+2ast, A.Abdelmalek 12+2reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 9+11reb+1ast, N.Alabsi 6+1ast
Ittihad: J.Edwards Jr. 34+10reb+7ast, M.Almarwani 21+4reb+1ast, K.Murphy 9+4reb+6ast, L.Williams 7+7reb, M.AlMarwani 6+6reb+1ast, A.Yasir 6+3reb+1ast

Al Khaleej - Al Wehda 80-82

Important game to mention about took place in . Fifth ranked Al Wehda (6-3) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Al Khaleej (3-6) 82-80 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Khaleej. They outrebounded Al Khaleej 49-36 including 17 on the offensive glass. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU, agency: Green Sports Management) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in 19 points and 12 rebounds. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was Congolese-French forward Nobel Boungou-Colo (202-1988) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds and Derek Cedor scored 29 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Wehda moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Safa. Al Wehda will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Khaleej will play on the road against Ohod in Medina and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: C.Derek 29+5reb+5ast, N.Boungou-Colo 25+14reb+2ast, M.Almutairi 9+2reb, E.Ibrahim 8+5reb+3ast, A.Mosa 7+9reb+2ast, A.Mahdi 2
Al Wehda: D.McGill 29+11reb+8ast, M.Samb 19+12reb+3ast, A.Ayob 14+4reb, Q.Alaa 6+3reb, M.Ahmed 5+2reb, A.Mohammed 4+4reb

Al Safa - Ohod 90-98

Rather predictable result when sixth ranked Ohod (5-4) won against 9th ranked Al Safa (3-6) in Safwa 98-90 on Friday. Ohod looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Jonathon Simmons (198-1989, college: Houston) nailed 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and South Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) accounted for 27 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard Dallas Morgan (185, college: CMU) came up with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Al Safa in the defeat. Four Al Safa players scored in double figures. Al Safa's coach Vanja Gusa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Ohod. They maintain sixth place with 5-4 record. Newly promoted Al Safa dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Khaleej. Ohod will meet at home Al Khaleej (#8) in the next round. Al Safa will play against Al Wehda in Mecca and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Morgan 26+8reb+5ast, D.Dixson 19+5reb, J.Friday 15+6reb, A.Rayan 10+3reb+2ast, A.Ali 9+6reb+2ast, A.Hassan 6+1reb+4ast
Ohod: J.Simmons 35+7reb+5ast, D.Deng 27+12reb+5ast, A.Abdulaziz 23+3reb+1ast, S.Mohammad 6+4reb, F.Belal 3+3reb+8ast, F.Abdulrahman 2