SBL Round 21 of Regular Season

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in SBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

SBL round 21 caused change at the leadership position. Third defeat of league's leader Ittihad (17-3) against second ranked Al Hilal (17-3) 85-59 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Ittihad. It was a key game for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Ittihad 46-34 including 35 on the defensive glass. Al Hilal looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Ittihad's players. It was a good game for the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 27 rebounds. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) contributed with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) answered with 18 points and 6 rebounds for Ittihad. Al Hilal have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Ittihad. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Ittihad faces strong Al Nassr trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Al Hilal will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Al Ahli in Jeddah.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Al Nassr (16-4) against fourth ranked Al Ahli (16-4) on Friday night. Host Al Nassr was defeated by Al Ahli in Riyadh 73-58. American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Deandre Liggins chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Al Nassr. Al Ahli will play against league's leader Al Hilal in Riyadh in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Nassr will play on the road against the league's second-placed Ittihad in Jeddah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to eighth ranked Al Salam (8-12) 84-78 on Thursday evening. Wayne Chism nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points, 27 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Al Salam's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Corey Sanders came up with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for Al Taawoun in the defeat. Al Salam maintains eighth place with 8-12 record. Al Taawoun lost their twentieth game in a row. They still close the standings. Al Salam will meet Deba (#11) in the next round. Al Taawoun will play against Al Fateh and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 21: Al Khaleej beat Al Wehda on the road 79-72. Al Fateh destroyed Deba on its own court 115-79. Al Safa was outscored by Ohod in Medina 101-77.



Al Nassr - Al Ahli 58-73

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Al Nassr (16-4) against fourth ranked Al Ahli (16-4) on Friday night. Host Al Nassr was defeated by Al Ahli in Riyadh 73-58. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Nassr's 30. Al Ahli brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds and the former international Ayoub Alhawsawi (188-1989) scored 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks. Five Al Ahli and four Al Nassr players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Al Nassr. Al Ahli will play against league's leader Al Hilal in Riyadh in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Nassr will play on the road against the league's second-placed Ittihad in Jeddah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: H.Thompson 19+12reb+3ast, D.Liggins 15+7reb+3ast, M.Abdulrahman 12+1reb+1ast, A.Shubayli 12+8reb+1ast, I.Aska 11+9reb+2ast, M.Saif 2
Al Nassr: P.Hardy 15+2reb+1ast, A.Ayoub 13+8reb+2ast, C.Bragg Jr. 12+16reb+1ast, K.Musab 10+7reb+2ast, T.Almuhanna 6+6reb+2ast, A.Salem 2+5reb+1ast

Al Salam - Al Taawoun 84-78

Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to eighth ranked Al Salam (8-12) 84-78 on Thursday evening. Al Salam looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Al Taawoun's players. American-Bahrain Wayne Chism (206-1987, college: Tennessee) nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points, 27 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and American swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St.) accounted for 26 points and 7 assists. Al Salam's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Corey Sanders (188-1997, college: Rutgers) came up with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Bosnian center Markus Loncar (213-1996) added 12 points and 20 rebounds respectively for Al Taawoun in the defeat. Al Salam maintains eighth place with 8-12 record. Al Taawoun lost their twentieth game in a row. They still close the standings. Al Salam will meet Deba (#11) in the next round. Al Taawoun will play against Al Fateh and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: B.Austin 26+3reb+7ast, W.Chism 24+27reb+7ast, A.Bader 15+2ast, Y.Fallatah 6+4reb+3ast, A.Khalid 6+5reb+1ast, E.Fawaz 4+4reb+1ast
Al Taawoun: C.Sanders 30+10reb+6ast, A.Omar 17+1reb, M.Loncar 12+20reb, A.Alwaleed 7+4reb, D.Gilmore 7+5reb, K.Mahmoud 5+3reb+2ast

Al Wehda - Al Khaleej 72-79

There was a small surprise when tenth ranked Al Khaleej (6-14) beat 7th ranked Al Wehda (9-11) in Mecca 79-72 on Thursday. Al Khaleej outrebounded Al Wehda 47-36 including 33 on the defensive glass. American point guard Derek StHilaire (183-1998, college: New Orleans) nailed 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Congolese-French forward Nobel Boungou-Colo (202-1988) accounted for 10 points and 12 rebounds. Five Al Khaleej players scored in double figures. American forward Muhammed Ahmed (203, college: Bridgeport) came up with 28 points and 9 rebounds and Mohammed Alhwsawi added 15 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Al Wehda in the defeat. Al Khaleej moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Al Safa. Al Wehda lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. Al Khaleej will meet at home higher ranked Ohod (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Wehda will play against Al Safa in Safwa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: D.St.Hilaire 17+5reb+4ast, A.Al-Darweesh 16+6reb+1ast, J.Farr 12+10reb, E.Ibrahim 11+8reb+1ast, N.Boungou-Colo 10+12reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 9+5reb
Al Wehda: M.Ahmed 28+9reb, A.Mohammed 15+6reb+3ast, M.Thamer 11+6reb+5ast, B.Hussam 8+4reb+1ast, Q.Alaa 5+5reb+2ast, A.Abbas 3+2reb

Al Fateh - Deba 115-79

Very expected game when 11th ranked Deba (2-18) was smashed by sixth ranked Al Fateh (10-10) in Al Hasa 115-79 on Friday. Al Fateh dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Deba's 46. They outrebounded Deba 45-21 including a 32-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Deba's players. American forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Anthony Fairley (203-1999, college: Miles) accounted for 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Five Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Al Fateh's coach George Geagea felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) came up with 37 points (!!!) and Guyanese-American forward Kevin Mickle (201-1993, college: Ohio) added 27 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Deba in the defeat. Al Fateh maintains sixth place with 10-10 record. Deba at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 18 games lost. Al Fateh will meet bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Deba will play against Al Salam and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: A.Fairley 24+8reb+6ast, A.Campbell 23+16reb+2ast, M.Al-Saquer 17+5reb+6ast, A.Hesham 12+1reb+5ast, A.Hazim 10+6reb+1ast, A.Abdullah 8+3reb+2ast
Deba: J.Nicholas 37+4reb+1ast, K.Mickle 27+7reb+3ast, I.Suhail 8+5reb, A.Mohammed 5+2reb, H.Fahd 2+1reb, D.Ibrahim 0

Ohod - Al Safa 101-77

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Ohod (13-7) rolled over 9th ranked Al Safa (6-14) in Medina 101-77 on Friday. Ohod looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. South Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) nailed a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for the winning side and Abdulrahman Fallatah accounted for 19 points. American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard Dallas Morgan (185, college: CMU) added 22 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Al Safa in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ohod maintains fifth place with 13-7 record. Newly promoted Al Safa keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Al Khaleej. Ohod will meet Al Khaleej (#9) in the next round. Al Safa will play against Al Wehda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: D.Deng 35+16reb+4ast, F.Abdulrahman 19+2reb, F.Belal 9+2reb+9ast, A.Osama 7, A.Abdulaziz 7+5reb+6ast, A.Almukhtar 7+9reb+1ast
Al Safa: D.Dixson 22+5reb+2ast, D.Morgan 22+7reb, J.Friday 15+7reb+1ast, A.Hassan 6+1reb+2ast, S.Rashad 5+8reb+2ast, A.Ali 4+2reb+1ast

Al Hilal - Ittihad 85-59

SBL round 21 caused change at the leadership position. Third defeat of league's leader Ittihad (17-3) against second ranked Al Hilal (17-3) 85-59 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Ittihad. It was a key game for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Ittihad 46-34 including 35 on the defensive glass. Al Hilal looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Ittihad's players. It was a good game for the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 27 rebounds. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) contributed with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American center James Edwards Jr (211-1997, college: Southern) answered with 18 points and 6 rebounds and the former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) added 15 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Ittihad. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Hilal have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Ittihad. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Ittihad faces strong Al Nassr trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Al Hilal will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Al Ahli in Jeddah.
Top scorers:
Al Hilal: A.Scott 28+7reb+5ast, T.McCallum 20+5reb+2ast, N.Alabsi 17+2reb+5ast, A.Mohammed 11+27reb+3ast, O.Albargawi 3+4reb+5ast, H.Zakaria 2
Ittihad: J.Edwards Jr. 18+6reb+3ast, F.Abdulrahman 15+4reb+1ast, M.Almarwani 15+5reb+1ast, A.Young 10+5reb, L.Williams 1+3reb+1ast, I.Mustafa 0+2reb