SBL Round 17 (Regular Season): Ittihad keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ittihad as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ittihad defeated 7th ranked Al Fateh in Jeddah 94-88. Ittihad shot 28 for 40 from the free-throw line, while Al Fateh only scored six points from the stripe. They outrebounded Al Fateh 43-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Al Fateh helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) who scored 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. American center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) chipped in 33 points (!!!). American forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Ittihad (15-2) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Al Nassr. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the seventh place with eight games lost. Al Fateh will play next round against strong Al Nassr trying to get back on the winning streak. Ittihad will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Al Wehda in Mecca.
Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-16) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 85-63 loss to fifth ranked Ohod (10-6) in . American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) orchestrated the victory by scoring 27 points and 7 rebounds. Deng Deng contributed with 23 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Ohod's coach 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) answered with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) for Al Taawoun. Ohod maintains fifth place with 10-6 record. Al Taawoun lost their sixteenth game in a row. They still close the standings. Ohod will play against higher ranked Al Ahli (#3) in Jeddah in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Taawoun will play against Al Khaleej (#10) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Deba (0-15) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 102-83 loss to seventh ranked Al Wehda (9-8) in Tabuk on Friday evening. Donte McGill stepped up with a double-double by scoring 50 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds for the winners. Kevin Mickle responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 21 rebounds. Al Wehda moved-up to sixth place. Deba lost their fifteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 15 games lost. Al Wehda will meet at home league's leader Ittihad in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Deba will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

Other games of round 17 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Safa was defeated by Al Hilal in Riyadh 99-85. Al Ahli beat Al Salam at home 104-93. Al Khaleej lost to Al Nassr on the opponent's court 77-86. Winless Deba was outscored by Al Nassr in a home game 84-123.
The best stats of 17th round was 37 points (!!!), 7 assists and 4 steals by Josh Nicholas of Deba.



Al Taawoun - Ohod 63-85

Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (0-16) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 85-63 loss to fifth ranked Ohod (10-6) in . American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) orchestrated the victory by scoring 27 points and 7 rebounds. South Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) contributed with 23 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Ohod's coach 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) answered with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) and American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Al Taawoun. Ohod maintains fifth place with 10-6 record. Al Taawoun lost their sixteenth game in a row. They still close the standings. Ohod will play against higher ranked Al Ahli (#3) in Jeddah in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Taawoun will play against Al Khaleej (#10) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Taawoun: M.Loncar 28+10reb+2ast, D.Gilmore 12+7reb+1ast, A.Alwaleed 11+4reb+1ast, B.Murad 8+3reb+1ast, K.Mahmoud 4+3reb+5ast, A.Omar 0
Ohod: H.Sims 27+7reb+2ast, D.Deng 23+8reb+2ast, S.Mohammad 18+3reb+4ast, A.Abdulaziz 7+3reb+3ast, A.Mohammad 6+1reb+4ast, A.Alhosawi 2

Deba - Al Wehda 83-102

Bottom-ranked Deba (0-15) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 102-83 loss to seventh ranked Al Wehda (9-8) in Tabuk on Friday evening. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 50 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds for the winners and Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in 23 points and 11 rebounds. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Guyanese-American forward Kevin Mickle (201-1993, college: Ohio) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 21 rebounds and American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) scored 23 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Wehda moved-up to sixth place. Deba lost their fifteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 15 games lost. Al Wehda will meet at home league's leader Ittihad in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Deba will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Deba: K.Mickle 24+21reb+3ast, J.Nicholas 23+2reb+2ast, A.Ghareeb 13+1reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 11+5reb+1ast, I.Suhail 7+4reb+1ast, A.Eyad 3+3reb+1ast
Al Wehda: D.McGill 50+12reb+2ast, M.Samb 23+11reb+1ast, M.Thamer 14+7reb+3ast, A.Mohammed 10+3reb+2ast, A.Abbas 4+1reb, B.Abdulmajeed 1+2reb+1ast

Ittihad - Al Fateh 94-88

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ittihad as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ittihad defeated 7th ranked Al Fateh in Jeddah 94-88. Ittihad shot 28 for 40 from the free-throw line, while Al Fateh only scored six points from the stripe. They outrebounded Al Fateh 43-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Al Fateh helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) who scored 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. American center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) chipped in 33 points (!!!). American forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and Mohammed Al-Saquer added 5 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ittihad (15-2) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Al Nassr. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the seventh place with eight games lost. Al Fateh will play next round against strong Al Nassr trying to get back on the winning streak. Ittihad will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Al Wehda in Mecca.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: A.Campbell 24+13reb+4ast, A.Saad 19+1reb+2ast, A.Hazim 13+2reb, A.Fairley 12+3reb, E.Sosa 7+3reb+4ast, M.Al-Saquer 5+8reb+12ast
Ittihad: J.Edwards Jr. 33+4reb+3ast, M.Almarwani 25+9reb+6ast, M.AlMarwani 13+6reb+2ast, K.Murphy 12+1reb+3ast, L.Williams 4+9reb, A.Mustafa 3+4reb+3ast

Al Hilal - Al Safa 99-85

There was no surprise in Riyadh where 9th ranked Al Safa (4-12) was defeated by fourth ranked Al Hilal (13-3) 99-85 on Friday. Al Hilal forced 19 Al Safa turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Al Safa's players. The game was dominated by American players. Forward Tre McCallum (201-1995, college: DePaul, agency: MSG) stepped up and scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Five Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) responded with 29 points and 9 rebounds and center Jalone Friday (206-1996, college: NM State) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Hilal. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Safa lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with 12 games lost. Al Hilal will meet Al Salam (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Safa will play against Deba and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Dixson 29+9reb+3ast, J.Friday 18+10reb, A.Ali 12+5reb+3ast, A.Hassan 7+1reb+3ast, I.Mohammed 5+1reb+1ast, A.Reda 4
Al Hilal: T.McCallum 22+7reb+6ast, A.Scott 18+5reb+7ast, N.Alabsi 17+5reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 17+9reb+4ast, D.Walton 16+4reb+5ast, M.Abdulrahman 5+4reb

Al Ahli - Al Salam 104-93

No shocking result in a game in Jeddah where fourth ranked Al Ahli (13-3) defeated 8th ranked Al Salam (7-10) 104-93 on Friday. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and his fellow American import Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) chipped in 23 points and 8 rebounds. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American-Bahrain Wayne Chism (206-1987, college: Tennessee) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks and American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) scored 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Al Ahli. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Hilal. Loser Al Salam keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Al Ahli will meet Ohod (#5) in the next round. Al Salam will play against Al Hilal and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: B.Spearman 30+8reb+4ast, W.Chism 25+15reb+2ast, A.Nimer Hussain 11+3reb+5ast, A.Bader 9+1ast, Y.Fallatah 8+4reb+5ast, E.Fawaz 6+1reb
Al Ahli: D.Liggins 23+10reb+7ast, H.Thompson 23+8reb+1ast, M.Almuwallad 19+5ast, I.Aska 12+5reb, B.Ayman 8+1reb+3ast, A.Shubayli 8+6reb+6ast

Al Nassr - Al Khaleej 86-77

Very expected game in Riyadh where 10th ranked Al Khaleej (4-13) was defeated by second ranked Al Nassr (15-2) 86-77 on Friday. American Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and Nasser Abo Jallas chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds. Al Nassr's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward James Farr (208-1992, college: Xavier) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 14 rebounds and the former international forward Mohammed Almutairi (193-1992) scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. Five Al Nassr and four Al Khaleej players scored in double figures. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Al Nassr. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ittihad. Al Khaleej lost their sixth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth place with 13 games lost. Al Nassr will meet Al Fateh (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Khaleej will play against Al Taawoun and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: J.Farr 28+14reb+2ast, M.Almutairi 17+6reb+1ast, D.St.Hilaire 15+4reb+2ast, E.Ibrahim 10+8reb, A.Mohammed 5+1reb+1ast, A.Al-Darweesh 2+1reb
Al Nassr: C.Bragg Jr. 21+11reb, A.Jallas Nasser 20+9reb+2ast, P.Purifoy 14+2reb, K.Musab 12+8reb+1ast, P.Hardy 10+4reb+4ast, T.Almuhanna 5+2reb

Deba - Al Nassr 84-123

Very predictable result in Tabuk where second ranked Al Nassr (15-2) outscored bottom-ranked Deba (0-15) 123-84 on Monday. Al Nassr shot 60.6 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 24 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. Al Nassr looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Nasser Abo Jallas stepped up and scored 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and American Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) chipped in 17 points and 15 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Al Nassr players scored in double figures. American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) responded with 37 points (!!!), 7 assists and 4 steals and Guyanese-American forward Kevin Mickle (201-1993, college: Ohio) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Al Nassr. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ittihad. Deba lost their fifteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 15 games lost. Al Nassr will meet Al Fateh (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Deba will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Deba: J.Nicholas 37+4reb+7ast, K.Mickle 22+12reb+2ast, I.Suhail 11+6reb, M.Mohammed 8+3reb, A.Mohammed 4+3reb, A.Eyad 2+2reb+1ast
Al Nassr: F.Aldawsari 26+3reb+1ast, A.Jallas Nasser 25+6reb+4ast, C.Bragg Jr. 17+15reb, P.Hardy 14+1reb+7ast, K.Musab 11+1reb+1ast, T.Almuhanna 11+2reb+1ast