SBL Round 5 (Regular Season): Al Ittihad lose to Al-Ula in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Leader host Al-Ula (5-0) defeated 4th placed Al Ittihad (3-2) 82-78. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. Al-Ula dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ittihad's 26 and made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds for the winners and Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) chipped in 27 points. American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Undefeated Al-Ula have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Nasr. Defending champion Al Ittihad keeps the fourth place with two games lost. Al-Ula is looking forward to face Al Khewaildia (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Ittihad will play against Al Fateh (#5) in Al Hasa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Al Khewaildia has registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Khaleej (0-5) 79-74. nailed a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Willy Kouassi accounted for 15 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. Almonthadhar Alzurayqi came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals for Al Khaleej in the defeat. Al Khewaildia (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with Ohod and Mudhar. It was Al Khaleej's fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Al Khewaildia will play against higher ranked Al-Ula (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khaleej will play against Al Salam (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
SBL top team - Al Ahli (5-0) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed eighth ranked Ohod (1-4) in Medina 100-64. The best player for the winners was Moayad Alsharif who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Amjad Ateek produced 26 points for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Ahli. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Al Nasr and Al-Ula. Ohod at the other side dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Al Khewaildia and Mudhar. Al Ahli will meet league's second-placed Al Nasr in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ohod will play against Mudhar (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 5 Mudhar lost to Al Fateh on the opponent's court 82-92. Al Salam lost to undefeated Al Nasr in a home game 77-99.



Ohod - Al Ahli 64-100

SBL top team - Al Ahli (5-0) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed eighth ranked Ohod (1-4) in Medina 100-64. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 24. Al Ahli forced 19 Ohod turnovers and outrebounded them 55-22 including a 20-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American center Justin Patton (216-1997, college: Creighton) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Five Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Amjad Ateek produced 26 points and Ivorian center Willy Kouassi (208-1991, college: Arkansas) added 14 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Ahli. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Al Nasr and Al-Ula. Ohod at the other side dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Al Khewaildia and Mudhar. Al Ahli will meet league's second-placed Al Nasr in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ohod will play against Mudhar (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: A.Amjad 26+3reb+3ast, A.Mohammed 14+8reb+3ast, A.Mohammad 9+3reb+4ast, O.Ahmed 9+4reb, A.Bakr 3+2ast, M.Husam 3+3reb+3ast
Al Ahli: A.Moayad 17+11reb+1ast, A.McKinnie 16+6reb+2ast, M.Abdulrahman 15+1ast, J.Patton 13+11reb+2ast, A.Marzouq 12+3reb+2ast, A.Ayman 8+2reb+3ast

Al Fateh - Mudhar 92-82

Everything could happen in Al Hasa at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Al Fateh and 7th ranked Mudhar had identical 1-3 record. This time Al Fateh used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from 92-82 on Friday night. Al Fateh outrebounded Mudhar 47-28 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Mudhar's players. The best player for the winners was Serbian center Lazar Nekic (213-1999, college: LMU, agency: Allstars Agency) who had a double-double by scoring 32 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989, agency: Allstars Agency) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: BIG) produced 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and the other American import center Justin Patton (216-1997, college: Creighton) added 24 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Mudhar players scored in double figures. Al Fateh (2-3) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Salam. Mudhar lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Khewaildia. Al Fateh will meet at home higher ranked Al Ittihad (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mudhar will play against Ohod in Medina and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mudhar: D.Jason 24+7reb+3ast, V.Hendrix 22+9reb+5ast, A.Alhassan 13+3reb+5ast, A.Abdullah 10+3reb+1ast, A.Mosa 8+5reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 5+2ast
Al Fateh: L.Nekic 32+19reb+4ast, M.Samb 22+18reb+4ast, A.Ali 15+9ast, A.Abdullah 9+1reb+1ast, A.Hesham 8+6reb+6ast, A.Abdullah 3+1ast

Al Salam - Al Nasr 77-99

Rather predictable result in Al-Awamiyah where leader Al Nasr (5-0) smashed 5th ranked Al Salam (2-3) 99-77 on Friday. Al Nasr dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 44. The best player for the winners was Algerian Mohamed Harat (198-1990) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu (183-1996, college: Stony Brook, agency: Olsta) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Iroegbu is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. American forward Alex Young (198-1989, college: IUPUI, agency: Allstars Agency) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St., agency: Allstars Agency) added 11 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Nasr. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al-Ula. Loser Al Salam keeps the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Fateh. Al Nasr will meet at home league's leader Al Ahli in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Salam will play against Al Khaleej (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: A.Young 30+12reb+1ast, A.Ali 11+1ast, A.Hashem 11+1reb+3ast, S.Hurt 11+19reb+4ast, A.Reda 11+4reb+1ast, I.Muamial 3+3reb+1ast
Al Nasr: U.Iroegbu 18+5reb+4ast, A.Bader 16+1reb+1ast, J.Nasser 16+5reb, M.Harat 15+10reb+5ast, B.Hardy 13+6reb+3ast, K.Musab 10+9reb

Al-Ula - Al Ittihad 82-78

Leader host Al-Ula (5-0) defeated 4th placed Al Ittihad (3-2) 82-78. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. Al-Ula dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ittihad's 26 and made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds for the winners and Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) chipped in 27 points. Four Al-Ula players scored in double figures. American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 18 points. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Al-Ula have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Nasr. Defending champion Al Ittihad keeps the fourth place with two games lost. Al-Ula is looking forward to face Al Khewaildia (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Ittihad will play against Al Fateh (#5) in Al Hasa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: E.Neal 27+10reb+5ast, J.Eddie 18+2reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 10+6reb+2ast, A.Mathna 7+8reb+2ast, A.Manaf 5+1reb, A.Osama 4+5reb+1ast
Al-Ula: W.Arakji 27+3reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 18+18reb, J.Gibson 17+7reb+3ast, A.Abdulaziz 11+3reb+2ast, A.Ahmed 5+3reb+1ast, T.Maker 4+4reb

Al Khewaildia - Al Khaleej 79-74

Al Khewaildia has registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Khaleej (0-5) 79-74. Al Khewaildia shot 26 for 39 from the free-throw line, while Al Khaleej only scored nine points from the stripe. Al Khaleej was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. nailed a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Ivorian center Willy Kouassi (208-1991, college: Arkansas) accounted for 15 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. Kouassi is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Al Khewaildia players scored in double figures. Almonthadhar Alzurayqi came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals and Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) added 25 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Al Khaleej in the defeat. Al Khewaildia (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with Ohod and Mudhar. It was Al Khaleej's fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Al Khewaildia will play against higher ranked Al-Ula (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khaleej will play against Al Salam (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: E.Ibrahim 25+14reb+2ast, A.Almonthadhar 24+10reb+7ast, A.Mohammed 6+2reb+2ast, A.Mahdi 6+7reb+1ast, A.Hassan 5+3reb+3ast, E.Fawaz 5+5reb
Al Khewaildia: S.Ibrahima 30+10reb+6ast, W.Kouassi 15+22reb+3ast, S.Ahmed 11+2reb+2ast, A.Abass 10+4reb, A.Abass 9+3reb+1ast, S.Mohammed 4+3reb+1ast