SBL Round 17 (Regular Season): Al Nasr loses to Al-Ula in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Riyadh. 4th placed host Al Nasr (12-5) lost to first ranked Al-Ula (16-1) 89-85. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) chipped in 18 points and 7 rebounds. American swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St., agency: Olsta) responded with 25 points and 8 rebounds. Al-Ula maintains first place with 16-1 record, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Al-Ula is looking forward to face Mudhar (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Nasr will play against Al Khewaildia and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
The game in Al-Awamiyah supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Al Ahli (16-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Al Salam (8-9). Al Ahli smashed Al Salam 90-52. American Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Alfonzo McKinnie accounted for 15 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. Almohammed Hani came up with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Al Salam 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. Al Ahli have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al-Ula. Al Salam at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Al Fateh. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ittihad.
The game in was also quite interesting. Seventh ranked Mudhar (6-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Al Khewaildia (3-14). Mudhar defeated Al Khewaildia 101-87 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Vante Hendrix who had a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Ibrahima Sankare produced 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Newly promoted Mudhar maintains seventh place with 6-11 record. Al Khewaildia lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 14 games lost. Mudhar will meet league's leader Al-Ula in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Nasr (#4) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 17 Al Khaleej was destroyed by Al Ittihad on the opponent's court 115-73. Al Fateh outscored Ohod in a home game 105-68.



Al Salam - Al Ahli 52-90

The game in Al-Awamiyah supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Al Ahli (16-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Al Salam (8-9). Al Ahli smashed Al Salam 90-52. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 40 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 14. Al Ahli players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Alfonzo McKinnie (202-1992, college: Green Bay) accounted for 15 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. Almohammed Hani came up with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St., agency: Diamond Sports) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Al Salam 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. Al Ahli have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al-Ula. Al Salam at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Al Fateh. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ittihad.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: H.Almohammed 17+5reb+4ast, S.Hurt 12+12reb+1ast, M.Nguirane 9+6reb+2ast, I.Muamial 6+5reb+1ast, A.Young 5+4reb+2ast, A.Hadi 3+2reb+1ast
Al Ahli: S.Tyler 31+11reb+4ast, M.Alfonzo 15+14reb+6ast, A.Almuwallad 10+4reb, A.Shubayli 9+1reb+3ast, F.Belal 6+1reb+2ast, M.Almuwallad 6+1ast

Al Ittihad - Al Khaleej 115-73

Very expected game in Jeddah where 9th ranked Al Khaleej (2-15) was crushed by third ranked Al Ittihad (13-4) 115-73 on Friday. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khaleej's 44. Al Ittihad forced 19 Al Khaleej turnovers and outrebounded them 41-25 including 27 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 20 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) chipped in 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Neal is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American point guard Kaleb Thornton (183-1999, college: Akron) produced 25 points and 7 assists and Ibrahim Entaif added 17 points respectively for the guests. Five Al Ittihad and four Al Khaleej players scored in double figures. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Al Ittihad. Defending champion maintains third place with 13-4 record having just three points less than leader Al-Ula. Al Khaleej lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 15 games lost. Al Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: K.Thornton 25+4reb+7ast, E.Ibrahim 17+1reb+3ast, A.Mahdi 12+3reb+1ast, A.Almonthadhar 10+1reb+2ast, M.Lino 5+8reb+1ast, A.Ali 3+2reb
Al Ittihad: E.Jarell 20+9reb+1ast, T.Elijah 18+1reb+2ast, N.Erick 16+6reb+7ast, N.Alabsi 16+5reb+1ast, M.Almarwani 15+6reb+3ast, Y.Aljohani 13+5reb

Al Nasr - Al-Ula 85-89

The game between Top Four teams took place in Riyadh. 4th placed host Al Nasr (12-5) lost to first ranked Al-Ula (16-1) 89-85. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) chipped in 18 points and 7 rebounds. American swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St., agency: Olsta) responded with 25 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Bailey Hardy (188-2000, college: LCU) scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Five Al-Ula and four Al Nasr players scored in double figures. Al-Ula maintains first place with 16-1 record, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Al-Ula is looking forward to face Mudhar (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Nasr will play against Al Khewaildia and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Al Nasr: B.Austin 25+8reb+3ast, B.Hardy 21+6reb+3ast, K.Musab 15+6reb+2ast, C.Johnson 10+11reb+2ast, M.Thamer 6+4reb, A.Faisal 5+2ast
Al-Ula: A.Wael 20+4reb+3ast, M.Alsuwailem 18+18reb+1ast, G.Jonathan 18+7reb+2ast, A.Alalawi 12+3reb+1ast, M.Thon 10+1reb+3ast, A.Almukhtar 6+2reb+2ast

Al Fateh - Ohod 105-68

Rather predictable result in Al Hasa where sixth ranked Al Fateh (8-9) smashed bottom-ranked Ohod (1-16) 105-68 on Friday. Al Fateh outrebounded Ohod 53-25 including a 21-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Ohod's players. The best player for the winners was Serbian center Lazar Nekic (213-1999, college: LMU) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in 23 points and 8 rebounds. Four Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Mohammed Alhawsawi produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and point guard Abdulrahman Fallatah (170-1999) added 11 points respectively for the guests. 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. Al Fateh moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Salam. Ohod lost their thirteenth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Al Fateh will meet Al Salam (#5) in the next round. Ohod will play against Al Khaleej (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: A.Mohammed 17+10reb+1ast, F.Abdulrahman 11+1reb+1ast, A.Sultan 11+2reb, A.Bakr 7+3ast, O.Ahmed 5+6reb, F.Hashim 5+2reb+1ast
Al Fateh: N.Lazar 25+15reb+4ast, S.Mamadou 23+8reb+3ast, A.Al-Khodeir 16+2ast, R.Alahmed 14+2ast, A.Al-Taher 11+7reb+1ast, M.Al-Rasheed 8+8reb+2ast

Al Khewaildia - Mudhar 87-101

The game in was also quite interesting. Seventh ranked Mudhar (6-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Al Khewaildia (3-14). Mudhar defeated Al Khewaildia 101-87 on Friday. Mudhar dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 38. They outrebounded Al Khewaildia 54-34 including a 44-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Nigerian center Jason Jitoboh (211-2001, college: Tennessee St., agency: JCK Sports Group) chipped in a double-double by scoring 23 points, 20 rebounds and 6 blocks. Senegalese forward Ibrahima Sankare (203-1996, college: Lyn) produced 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Keondre Jackson (203, college: Clayton St.) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Al Khewaildia players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Mudhar maintains seventh place with 6-11 record. Al Khewaildia lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 14 games lost. Mudhar will meet league's leader Al-Ula in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Nasr (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: S.Ibrahima 31+6reb+4ast, S.Ahmed 18+1reb+1ast, K.Jackson 14+10reb+1ast, A.Abass 10+4reb, A.Ahmed 8+1reb+2ast, S.Mohammed 4+6reb+1ast
Mudhar: H.Vante 39+10reb+7ast, A.Al-Janaby 23+7reb+3ast, J.Jason 23+20reb+2ast, A.Al-Oqayli 8+5reb+3ast, M.Al-Ghezwi 8+11reb+2ast, A.Al-Hobail 0+1reb