SBL Round 22: Al Nasr defeat Al Hilal

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Al Hilal (20-2) in Riyadh on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Al Nasr (20-2) 78-73. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Al Hilal. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Nasr forced 22 Al Hilal turnovers. Strangely Al Hilal outrebounded Al Nasr 46-34 including 31 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-1985, college: LSU) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. International center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) replied with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 21 rebounds for Al Hilal. Al Nasr have an impressive 11-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after Al Hilal lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated Al Hilal.
The game in Jeddah was also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Al Fateh (13-9) played at the court of seventh ranked Al Ahly (10-12). Al Ahly managed to secure a 4-point victory 89-85. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Al Fateh. American forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Freddy Ibrahim chipped in 22 points and 8 assists during the contest. At the losing side Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) responded with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 19 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Fateh's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Ahly have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 10-12 record, which they share with Al Ansar. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost.
The game between fourth ranked Ohod (16-6) and 10th ranked Duba Club (4-18) in Medina on Friday ended with biggest points difference. Ohod outscored guests from Tabuk 103-64. Islem Elajmi notched a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort. Ohod's coach Fuad Abou Chakra felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds by Hussain Fallatah did not help to save the game for Duba Club. Ohod maintains fourth position with 16-6 record. Newly promoted Duba Club keeps the tenth place with 18 games lost.

Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Bottom-ranked Abha was smashed by Al Ittihad on the road 96-75. Al Nahda lost to Al Wehda on its own court 44-57. Al Ansar managed to outperform Al Salam in Medina 82-76.

Al Ahly - Al Fateh 89-85

The game in Jeddah was also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Al Fateh (13-9) played at the court of seventh ranked Al Ahly (10-12). Al Ahly managed to secure a 4-point victory 89-85. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Al Fateh. Al Ahly made 26-of-32 charity shots (81.3 percent) during the game, while Al Fateh only scored ten points from the stripe. Al Fateh was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Canadian-Jordanian guard Freddy Ibrahim (190-1996, college: Tampa) chipped in 22 points and 8 assists during the contest. Four Al Ahly players scored in double figures. At the losing side Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) responded with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 19 rebounds and 5 assists and Nigerian-American guard Michael Efevberha (195-1984, college: CSUN) scored 27 points and 4 assists. Al Fateh's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Ahly have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 10-12 record, which they share with Al Ansar. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: J.Washington 26+13reb, F.Ibrahim 22+4reb+8ast, A.Abdulrahman 15+7reb+7ast, A.Shubayli 13+6reb, A.Abdulrahman 8, S.Hassan 3+2ast
Al Fateh: M.Harat 35+19reb+5ast, M.Efevberha 27+3reb+4ast, A.Mohammed 7+8reb+7ast, A.Saqer Khalid 7+2reb, A.Abdullah 7+2reb, A.Altamar 2+2reb

Al Ittihad - Abha 96-75

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Al Ittihad (17-5) crushed bottom-ranked Abha (1-21) in Jeddah 96-75 on Friday. Al Ittihad had a 43-30 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Ittihad made 11 blocks. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) supported him with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) by Hesham Al Shareef did not help to save the game for Abha. Omran Fallatah (187-1989) added 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. 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 Ittihad maintains third position with 17-5 record having just three points less than leader Al Hilal. Newly promoted Abha stay dead last with 21 lost games.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: O.Abada 26+6reb+5ast, M.Esho 24+15reb+5ast, A.Raad 11+2reb, A.Yasir 8+1reb+2ast, A.Khalid 7+4reb+2ast, F.Abdullah 7+7reb+1ast
Abha: A.Shareef Hesham 31+15reb+1ast, O.Fallatah 18+9reb+5ast, A.Sami 8+4reb+2ast, A.Rayan 7+7reb+9ast, A.Abdullah 5+1reb, J.Mohammed 3+5reb+1ast

Al Nahda - Al Wehda 44-57

Very expected game when 11th ranked Al Nahda (2-20) lost to sixth ranked Al Wehda (11-11) in Al Khobar 44-57 on Friday. Al Wehda dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Al Nahda's 20. Egyptian guard Ramy Gunday (185-1981) notched 22 points to lead the effort and international center Thamer Mohammed (205-1997) supported him with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Al Wehda's coach Said El Bouzidi used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 9 points and 13 rebounds by American center Malik Wineglass (203-1993, college: Harris-Stowe St.) did not help to save the game for Al Nahda. Abdulmajeed Barnawi added 14 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Al Wehda maintains sixth position with 11-11 record. Al Nahda lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 20 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: R.Gunday 22+3reb+3ast, A.Mohammed 14+6reb+5ast, M.Thamer 10+15reb+2ast, B.Husam 5+9reb+1ast, A.Abdullah 4+4reb, H.Abbas 2
Al Nahda: B.Abdulmajeed 14+7reb, M.Wineglass 9+13reb, H.Osama 8+2reb+1ast, A.Turki 4+3reb+6ast, A.Abdullah Othman 3, K.Abdulrahman 2+8reb

Al Nasr - Al Hilal 78-73

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Al Hilal (20-2) in Riyadh on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Al Nasr (20-2) 78-73. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Al Hilal. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Nasr forced 22 Al Hilal turnovers. Strangely Al Hilal outrebounded Al Nasr 46-34 including 31 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-1985, college: LSU) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. International center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) replied with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 21 rebounds and American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) added 20 points, 10 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Al Hilal. Four Al Hilal players scored in double figures. Al Nasr have an impressive 11-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after Al Hilal lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated Al Hilal.
Top scorers:
Al Nasr: C.Johnson 20+8reb+3ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 20+12reb+7ast, K.Musab 11+5reb+1ast, T.Almuhanna 9+1reb, J.Al Kabe 9+4reb+3ast, A.Ayoub 9+4reb+4ast
Al Hilal: A.Mohammed 26+21reb+1ast, A.Scott 20+3reb+10ast, M.Hadidane 15+9reb+1ast, O.Albargawi 12+8reb, A.Alwaleed 0, M.Ahmed 0

Al Salam - Al Ansar 76-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eighth ranked Al Ansar's (10-12) road victory over 9th ranked Al Salam (8-14) in Al-Awamiyah 82-76 on Friday. Al Ansar made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) notched 29 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his twelve free throws !!!) to lead the effort and forward Ayman Belal supported him with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 35 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) by American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) did not help to save the game for Al Salam. Algerian center Touhami Ghezzoul (209-1987, college: N.Dakota St.) added 12 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Al Ansar moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Al Ahly. Al Salam lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Ansar: L.Bearden 29+6reb+1ast, B.Ayman 19+7reb+4ast, H.Attia 13+7reb, Y.Fallatah 8+4reb+2ast, H.Hammam 6+2reb+1ast, A.Salman 4+2reb+3ast
Al Salam: N.Stover 35+11reb+1ast, T.Ghezzoul 12+9reb+1ast, H.Alnamer 9+4reb+4ast, A.Bader 9+2reb, S.Rashad 8+4reb, I.Mohammed 3+2reb

Ohod - Duba Club 103-64

The game between fourth ranked Ohod (16-6) and 10th ranked Duba Club (4-18) in Medina on Friday ended with biggest points difference. Ohod outscored guests from Tabuk 103-64. Ohod had a 33-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) notched a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and the former international point guard Fahad Belal (181-1991) supported him with 19 points. Four Ohod players scored in double figures. Ohod's coach Fuad Abou Chakra felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds by Hussain Fallatah did not help to save the game for Duba Club. Abdullah Aljohani added 15 points and 4 assists for lost side. Ohod maintains fourth position with 16-6 record. Newly promoted Duba Club keeps the tenth place with 18 games lost.
Top scorers:
Ohod: I.Elajmi 23+15reb+10ast, F.Belal 19+2reb+1ast, A.Almukhtar 12+1reb, A.Abdulaziz 11+3reb+1ast, F.Abdulrahman 6+3reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 5+2ast
Duba Club: F.Hussain 18+7reb, A.Abdullah 15+3reb+4ast, A.Abdulmajeed 9+6reb+1ast, A.Yamin 8+5reb+1ast, A.Talal 8+5reb, I.Suhail 6+8reb



Tags : KHALID ABDEL-GABAR, AL NASR RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL