SBL Round 18 (Regular Season): Ohod beat Al Fateh by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the SBL took place in Medina. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Al Fateh (8-9) to fifth ranked Ohod (11-6) 92-89 on Monday evening. 24 personal fouls committed by Al Fateh helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Jonathon Simmons (198-1989, college: Houston) who led his team to a victory with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Abdulaziz Alalawi contributed with 24 points for the winners. American-Dominican forward Edgar Sosa (189-1988, college: Louisville) replied with 38 points (!!!) for Al Fateh. Ohod have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-6 record. Al Fateh lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with nine games lost.
Deba's fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after 16 consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Taawoun (0-17) 89-79. Guyanese-American forward Kevin Mickle (201-1993, college: Ohio) had a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Josh Nicholas chipped in 28 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Bosnian center Markus Loncar (213-1996) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 17 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). Deba (1-16) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. It was Al Taawoun's seventeenth loss in a row. They still close the standings.
The game between 12th ranked Deba (1-16) and fourth ranked Al Hilal (14-3) in Tabuk on Monday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Riyadh outscored Deba 136-90. Antwan Scott notched a double-double by scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds, 26 assists and 9 steals to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 50 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Josh Nicholas did not help to save the game for Deba. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Hilal have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Ahli. Deba lost sixteenth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with 16 games lost.

In the last game of round 18 Al Ahli smashed Al Safa on the road 90-62.



Al Safa - Al Ahli 62-90

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Al Ahli (14-3) crushed 9th ranked Al Safa (4-13) in Safwa 90-62 on Monday. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Al Safa's 30. The former international Ali Shubayli (190-1996) notched 23 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) supported him with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 28 points and 16 rebounds by American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) did not help to save the game for Al Safa. His fellow American import center Jalone Friday (206-1996, college: NM State) added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Al Ahli have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 14-3 record behind leader Ittihad, which they share with Al Hilal. Al Safa lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Al Khaleej.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Dixson 28+16reb+2ast, J.Friday 13+10reb, A.Hassan 10+2reb+1ast, A.Ali 6+3reb+1ast, A.Reda 2, S.Rashad 2+2reb+1ast
Al Ahli: A.Shubayli 23+7reb+1ast, M.Almuwallad 18+4reb+2ast, H.Thompson 13+10reb+4ast, I.Aska 12+8reb+1ast, M.Abdulrahman 9, B.Ayman 8+8reb+2ast

Deba - Al Hilal 90-136

The game between 12th ranked Deba (1-16) and fourth ranked Al Hilal (14-3) in Tabuk on Monday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Riyadh outscored Deba 136-90. Al Hilal dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Deba's 48. Al Hilal forced 24 Deba turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 40 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Deba's players. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) notched a double-double by scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds, 26 assists and 9 steals to lead the effort and the other American import forward Dantez Walton (200-1997, college: NKU) supported him with 33 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 50 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists by American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) did not help to save the game for Deba. Guyanese-American forward Kevin Mickle (201-1993, college: Ohio) added 35 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. Al Hilal have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Ahli. Deba lost sixteenth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Deba: J.Nicholas 50+10reb+4ast, K.Mickle 35+9reb, H.Fahd 2+2reb, I.Suhail 2+14reb+1ast, A.Saud 1+1reb, A.Ghareeb 0+2ast
Al Hilal: D.Walton 33+6reb+4ast, N.Alabsi 23+2reb+3ast, T.McCallum 17+2reb+1ast, M.Abdulrahman 17+6reb+2ast, A.Scott 14+5reb+26ast, A.Mohammed 13+9reb+2ast

Ohod - Al Fateh 92-89

The most exciting game of round 18 in the SBL took place in Medina. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Al Fateh (8-9) to fifth ranked Ohod (11-6) 92-89 on Monday evening. 24 personal fouls committed by Al Fateh helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Jonathon Simmons (198-1989, college: Houston) who led his team to a victory with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Abdulaziz Alalawi contributed with 24 points for the winners. Four Ohod players scored in double figures. American-Dominican forward Edgar Sosa (189-1988, college: Louisville) replied with 38 points (!!!) and American forward Anthony Fairley (203-1999, college: Miles) added 19 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Al Fateh. Ohod have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-6 record. Al Fateh lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: E.Sosa 38+2reb+3ast, M.Al-Saquer 19+6reb+2ast, A.Fairley 19+9reb+1ast, A.Hesham 5+1reb+1ast, A.Mohamad 4+3reb, A.Saad 2+2reb+3ast
Ohod: A.Abdulaziz 24+3reb+1ast, J.Simmons 22+6reb+4ast, F.Belal 20+3reb+3ast, H.Sims 15+6reb+1ast, D.Deng 9+6reb+1ast, S.Mohammad 2+1reb+1ast

Deba - Al Taawoun 89-79

Deba's fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after 16 consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Taawoun (0-17) 89-79. Deba forced 23 Al Taawoun turnovers. Guyanese-American forward Kevin Mickle (201-1993, college: Ohio) had a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) chipped in 28 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Bosnian center Markus Loncar (213-1996) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 17 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. Four Al Taawoun players scored in double figures. Deba (1-16) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. It was Al Taawoun's seventeenth loss in a row. They still close the standings.
Top scorers:
Al Taawoun: M.Loncar 25+17reb+1ast, D.Gilmore 19+5reb, A.Alwaleed 18+1reb+2ast, B.Murad 12+3reb+3ast, K.Mahmoud 5+9reb+4ast, A.Omar 0
Deba: K.Mickle 40+14reb+2ast, J.Nicholas 28+11reb+6ast, A.Abdullah 9+2reb+4ast, A.Mohammed 5+4reb+2ast, I.Suhail 4+3reb+1ast, M.Mohammed 3+3reb+2ast