SBL Round 7 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Al Ahli (6-1) against leader Al-Ula (7-0) 83-71 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Al Ahli. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al-Ula made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Al Ahli 39-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. 24 personal fouls committed by Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. The former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) answered with 14 points and 6 rebounds for Al Ahli. Undefeated Al-Ula have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-0 record. Al Ahli at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with Al Nasr. They were replaced at the leadership position by Al-Ula. Al Ahli will play next round against Al Salam trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Al-Ula will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Al Nasr in Riyadh.
SBL top team - Al-Ula (7-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked Al Khewaildia (1-6) 94-40. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Al-Ula. They maintain first place with 7-0 record. Al Khewaildia at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Ohod. Al-Ula will play against Al Nasr (#3) in Riyadh in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Khewaildia will play against Mudhar (#5) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Bottom-ranked Al Khaleej is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to third ranked Al Nasr (6-1) 103-75 on Monday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Mohamed Harat who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Ibrahim Entaif came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for Al Khaleej in the defeat. Al Nasr moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Khaleej lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Al Nasr will meet league's leader Al-Ula in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Khaleej will play against Al Ittihad (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Ohod was smashed by Al Ittihad on the road 96-48. Al Khewaildia lost to Al Fateh on its own court 64-78. Mudhar outscored Al Salam in a road game 87-66.
The most impressive performance of 7th round was 28 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists by Vante Hendrix of Mudhar.



Al Khaleej - Al Nasr 75-103

Bottom-ranked Al Khaleej is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to third ranked Al Nasr (6-1) 103-75 on Monday evening. Al Nasr dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khaleej's 36. Al Nasr looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Al Khaleej's players. It was an exceptional evening for Algerian Mohamed Harat (198-1990) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Musab Kadi accounted for 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Five Al Nasr players scored in double figures. came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and American point guard Kaleb Thornton (183-1999, college: Akron) added 24 points respectively for Al Khaleej in the defeat. Al Nasr moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Khaleej lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Al Nasr will meet league's leader Al-Ula in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Khaleej will play against Al Ittihad (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: K.Thornton 24+1reb+1ast, E.Ibrahim 22+10reb, A.Almonthadhar 8+1reb+5ast, A.Mahdi 7+4reb, E.Fawaz 5+3reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 3+10reb+3ast
Al Nasr: M.Kadi 21+9reb+3ast, H.Mohamed 19+10reb+8ast, A.Mobaraki 15+4reb, H.Bailey 14+8reb+5ast, B.Alsulimani 11+4ast, N.Jallas 10+2reb+1ast

Al Ittihad - Ohod 96-48

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Al Ittihad (5-2) crushed 9th ranked Ohod (1-6) in Jeddah 96-48 on Monday. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 32. Al Ittihad forced 23 Ohod turnovers and outrebounded them 57-33 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Ohod's players. It was an exceptional evening for Senegalese power forward Ibrahima Fall-Faye (207-1997) who led the winners and scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Four Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. Algerian Mohamed Harat (198-1990) came up with 8 points and 7 rebounds and added 8 points respectively for Ohod 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. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 5-2 record. Ohod lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Khewaildia. Al Ittihad will meet bottom-ranked Al Khaleej (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Ohod will play against Al Fateh and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: O.Ahmed 8+7reb, A.Mohammad 8+2reb+2ast, A.Sultan 6+4reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 6+4reb, A.Ayman 5+2reb, A.Majed 4+5reb
Al Ittihad: F.Ibrahima 20+8reb+4ast, E.Jarell 17+10reb+2ast, N.Erick 12+7reb+5ast, M.Almarwani 12+3reb, N.Alabsi 7+2reb+3ast, A.Fallatah 5+4reb+1ast

Al-Ula - Al Ahli 83-71

First defeat of league's leader Al Ahli (6-1) against leader Al-Ula (7-0) 83-71 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Al Ahli. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al-Ula made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Al Ahli 39-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. 24 personal fouls committed by Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. Four Al-Ula players scored in double figures. The former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) answered with 14 points and 6 rebounds and American center Justin Patton (216-1997, college: Creighton) added 13 points in the effort for Al Ahli. Al-Ula have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-0 record. Al Ahli at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with Al Nasr. They were replaced at the leadership position by Al-Ula. Al Ahli will play next round against Al Salam trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Al-Ula will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Al Nasr in Riyadh.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: K.Abdel-Gabar 14+6reb+1ast, J.Patton 13+2reb+3ast, W.Reed 10+3reb, S.Ali 9+1reb, A.McKinnie 9+3reb, A.Marzouq 8+6reb+2ast
Al-Ula: M.Thon 26+13reb, G.Jonathan 17+5reb+6ast, A.Wael 11+1reb+1ast, M.Alsaqer 11+3reb, A.Alalawi 5+6reb+1ast, A.Almukhtar 5+1reb

Al Khewaildia - Al Fateh 64-78

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Al Khewaildia (1-6) lost at home to sixth ranked Al Fateh (3-4) 78-64 on Monday. Al Fateh dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 28. They outrebounded Al Khewaildia 39-23 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for Serbian center Lazar Nekic (213-1999, college: LMU, agency: Allstars Agency) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989, agency: Allstars Agency) accounted for 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Al Fateh's coach Saif Mubarak used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Senegalese power forward Ibrahima Fall-Faye (207-1997) came up with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Ivorian center Willy Kouassi (208-1991, college: Arkansas) added 9 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. Al Fateh moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Salam and Mudhar. Loser Al Khewaildia keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Ohod. Al Fateh will meet Ohod (#8) in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play against Mudhar and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: S.Ibrahima 21+6reb+6ast, S.Ahmed 12+1reb+2ast, A.Abass 11+3reb, W.Kouassi 9+11reb+1ast, S.Mohammed 6, A.Hayder 3
Al Fateh: A.Al-Khodeir 23+3ast, N.Lazar 17+11reb+3ast, S.Mamadou 13+11reb+2ast, H.Aljohar 9+3reb+2ast, H.Alrasheed 8+4reb+4ast, R.Alahmed 4+2reb+1ast

Al Salam - Mudhar 66-87

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Mudhar (3-4) rolled over 5th ranked Al Salam (3-4) in Al-Awamiyah 87-66 on Monday. Mudhar dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 24. Mudhar looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Al Salam's players. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: BIG) who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Nigerian center Jason Jitoboh (211-2001, college: Tennessee St., agency: JCK Sports Group) accounted for 24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks for the winning side. Four Mudhar players scored in double figures. American forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St., agency: Allstars Agency) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Alex Young (198-1989, college: IUPUI, agency: Allstars Agency) added 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Al Salam in the defeat. Mudhar moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Fateh and Al Salam. Mudhar will meet at home Al Khewaildia (#9) in the next round. Al Salam will play against the league's second-placed Al Ahli (#2) in Jeddah and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: A.Young 26+6reb+6ast, S.Hurt 17+20reb+4ast, A.Hadi 16+2reb, A.Ali 5+2reb+1ast, A.Reda 2+4reb+1ast, A.Talal 0
Mudhar: H.Vante 28+15reb+10ast, J.Jason 24+12reb+5ast, A.Al-Oqayli 18+2reb+5ast, M.Al-Ghezwi 12+10reb+3ast, A.Al-Hobail 5+3reb+4ast, S.Al-Muaini 0

Al Khewaildia - Al-Ula 40-94

SBL top team - Al-Ula (7-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked Al Khewaildia (1-6) 94-40. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Al-Ula. They maintain first place with 7-0 record. Al Khewaildia at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Ohod. Al-Ula will play against Al Nasr (#3) in Riyadh in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Khewaildia will play against Mudhar (#5) to get more than just one victory in their record.