SBL Round 10 (Regular Season): Al Nassr lose their first game against Ittihad

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Nassr (9-1) in Riyadh on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Ittihad (9-1) 81-64. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Al Nassr. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Al Nassr's 22. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) scored 23 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. Ittihad keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Al Nassr. Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ahli.
Important game to mention about took place in Riyadh. Fifth ranked Al Ahli (7-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging one of their biggest challengers Al Hilal (8-2) 86-83 on Friday evening. American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and Deandre Liggins supported him with 24 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Even a double-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) did not help to save the game for Al Hilal. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Hilal at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Ittihad.
Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-10) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their tenth consecutive match to seventh ranked Al Fateh (5-5) 97-62 on Friday evening. Anthony Fairley fired a double-double by scoring 32 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Al Fateh's coach George Geagea felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Markus Loncar produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 19 rebounds for lost side. Al Fateh maintains seventh position with 5-5 record. Loser Al Taawoun still closes the standings with ten games lost. They share the position with Deba. Al Fateh will meet Al Salam (#10) in the next round. Al Taawoun will play against Deba in Tabuk and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last two games of round 10 Al Safa lost to Al Wehda on the opponent's court 74-88. Ohod managed to outperform Al Khaleej in a home game 108-90.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 42 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 7 assists by Jonathon Simmons of Ohod.



Al Hilal - Al Ahli 83-86

Important game to mention about took place in Riyadh. Fifth ranked Al Ahli (7-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging one of their biggest challengers Al Hilal (8-2) 86-83 on Friday evening. Strangely Al Hilal outrebounded Al Ahli 39-23 including 26 on the defensive glass. American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) supported him with 24 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Even a double-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) did not help to save the game for Al Hilal. American forward Dantez Walton (200-1997, college: NKU) added 20 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Four Al Ahli and five Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Wehda. Al Hilal at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Ittihad.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: H.Thompson 27+11reb, D.Liggins 24+2reb+5ast, A.Shubayli 18+3reb+4ast, M.Almuwallad 17+3reb+3ast, A.Ibrahim 0, K.Mohammed 0
Al Hilal: D.Walton 20+7reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 16+14reb+4ast, O.Albargawi 14+9reb+3ast, A.Scott 13+2reb+6ast, R.Young 11+5reb, H.Zakaria 6+1reb

Al Nassr - Ittihad 64-81

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Nassr (9-1) in Riyadh on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Ittihad (9-1) 81-64. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Al Nassr. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Al Nassr's 22. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) scored 23 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and guard PJ Hardy (185-1998, college: Louisiana) scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Al Nassr players scored in double figures. Ittihad keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Al Nassr. Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Ittihad: K.Murphy 23+6reb+2ast, J.Edwards Jr. 19+5reb+6ast, M.Almarwani 17+5reb+1ast, A.Yasir 9+4reb, M.AlMarwani 8+6reb+1ast, A.Mustafa 3+2reb
Al Nassr: C.Bragg Jr. 17+12reb+1ast, A.Jallas Nasser 15+7reb+2ast, T.Almuhanna 15+5reb+2ast, P.Hardy 15+6reb+7ast, K.Musab 2+2reb, A.Ahmed 0

Al Wehda - Al Safa 88-74

Rather expected game in Mecca where 8th ranked Al Safa (3-7) was defeated by fifth ranked Al Wehda (7-3) 88-74 on Friday. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU, agency: Green Sports Management) fired 41 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and Ali Alahmed added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Al Safa players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Wehda have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Newly promoted Al Safa keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Al Khaleej and Al Salam. Al Wehda will meet at home Ohod (#6) in the next round. Al Safa will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: D.McGill 41+8reb+5ast, M.Ahmed 13+3reb, M.Samb 11+9reb, B.Abdulmajeed 8+4reb, B.Hussam 6+4reb+2ast, A.Ayob 6+8reb
Al Safa: D.Dixson 20+12reb+1ast, A.Ali 18+6reb, J.Friday 14+4reb, D.Morgan 12+4reb+2ast, A.Hassan 7+1reb+5ast, A.Rayan 2+2reb+1ast

Al Fateh - Al Taawoun 97-62

Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-10) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their tenth consecutive match to seventh ranked Al Fateh (5-5) 97-62 on Friday evening. Al Fateh forced 22 Al Taawoun turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Al Taawoun's players. American forward Anthony Fairley (203-1999, college: Miles) fired a double-double by scoring 32 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American-Dominican forward Edgar Sosa (189-1988, college: Louisville) chipped in 29 points and 5 assists. Al Fateh's coach George Geagea felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bosnian center Markus Loncar (213-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 19 rebounds and American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Al Fateh maintains seventh position with 5-5 record. Loser Al Taawoun still closes the standings with ten games lost. They share the position with Deba. Al Fateh will meet Al Salam (#10) in the next round. Al Taawoun will play against Deba in Tabuk and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: A.Fairley 32+14reb+8ast, E.Sosa 29+3reb+5ast, F.Khalid 11+3reb+4ast, A.Ali 8+1reb, A.Mohamad 6+4reb+3ast, M.Al-Saquer 5+4reb+5ast
Al Taawoun: M.Loncar 29+19reb+1ast, D.Gilmore 19+7reb+5ast, K.Mahmoud 5+2reb+1ast, A.Alwaleed 5+1reb+1ast, A.Faisal 2, B.Murad 2+4reb+1ast

Ohod - Al Khaleej 108-90

Rather predictable result in Medina where sixth ranked Ohod (6-4) defeated 8th ranked Al Khaleej (3-7) 108-90 on Friday. Ohod outrebounded Al Khaleej 41-30 including 35 on the defensive glass. Ohod looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Jonathon Simmons (198-1989, college: Houston) fired 42 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The other American import center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Ohod's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Congolese-French forward Nobel Boungou-Colo (202-1988) produced 34 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and Derek Cedor added 17 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Four Al Khaleej players scored in double figures. Ohod have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 6-4 record. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Al Safa and Al Salam. Ohod will meet higher ranked Al Wehda (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Khaleej will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: J.Simmons 42+6reb+7ast, H.Sims 20+17reb+4ast, A.Abdulaziz 10+2reb+2ast, A.Mohammad 9+2reb+2ast, S.Mohammad 6+1reb, F.Belal 6+4reb+5ast
Al Khaleej: N.Boungou-Colo 34+7reb+3ast, C.Derek 17+3reb+5ast, M.Almutairi 15+4reb, E.Ibrahim 10+4reb+1ast, A.Mosa 8+6reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 6+6reb+2ast