SBL Round 11: Ohod edge Al Hilal by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 11 in the SBL took place in Riyadh. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked Al Hilal (6-5) to fourth ranked Ohod (8-3) 87-86 on Friday evening. The best player for the winners was American point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) who scored 39 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. International center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds for the hosts. Ohod moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr and Al Fateh. Defending champion Al Hilal keeps the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Ittihad. Ohod is looking forward to face Ittihad (#6) in Jeddah in the next round. Al Hilal's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riyadh Al Hilal.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Al Nassr (8-3) against fourth ranked Al Fateh (8-3) on Saturday night. Visiting Al Nassr was defeated by Al Fateh in Al Hasa 92-82. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Nassr. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Hani Al Mohammed contributed with 15 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St.) answered with 36 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) for Al Nassr. Al Fateh have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr and Ohod. Al Fateh will play against Al Adalah (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Nassr will play against Al Wehda (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Undefeated leader Al Ahly delivered the eleventh consecutive victory on Friday night. This time they crushed 11th ranked Al Ansar (1-10) 117-56 in Jeddah. It was a great evening for Deandre Liggins who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Salman Almoulad responded with 15 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Al Ahly (11-0) have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 11 victories in a row. Al Ansar lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Al Taawoun. Al Ahly will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al Ansar will play against Al Salam (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 11 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Deba defeated Ittihad in Tabuk 82-80. Al Salam beat Al Adalah at home 94-89. Bottom-ranked Al Taawoun was destroyed by Al Wehda on the opponent's court 92-70.

Al Ahly - Al Ansar 117-56

Undefeated leader Al Ahly delivered the eleventh consecutive victory on Friday night. This time they crushed 11th ranked Al Ansar (1-10) 117-56 in Jeddah. Al Ahly dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ansar's 40. They outrebounded Al Ansar 51-16 including a 14-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU, agency: Interperformances) helped adding 20 points and 10 rebounds. Five Al Ahly players scored in double figures. Guard Salman Almoulad responded with 15 points and Ahmed Alhawsawi (-2002) scored 10 points. 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 Ahly (11-0) have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 11 victories in a row. Al Ansar lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Al Taawoun. Al Ahly will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al Ansar will play against Al Salam (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly: K.Mohammed 21+6reb, D.Ebanks 20+10reb+2ast, D.Liggins 18+10reb+6ast, B.Ayman 16+3reb, B.Abdulmajeed 13+8reb+4ast, A.Nawaf 10+2reb+2ast
Al Ansar: A.Salman 15+3reb+3ast, A.Ahmed 10+2reb+2ast, S.Atif 8+2reb+1ast, S.Khaled 8+1ast, A.Ahmed 7+2reb+1ast, A.Mohannad 4

Ittihad - Deba 80-82

There was an upset in Jeddah where higher ranked Ittihad (6-5) was edged by ninth ranked Deba (4-7) 82-80 on Thursday. Deba moved-up to eighth place. Ittihad at the other side dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Al Hilal. Deba will meet at home bottom-ranked Al Taawoun (#12) in the next round. Ittihad will play against Ohod (#4) in Medina and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Al Salam - Al Adalah 94-89

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Al-Awamiyah where tenth ranked Al Salam (3-8) defeated 9th ranked Al Adalah (3-8) 94-89 on Friday. Al Salam dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Adalah's 30. They outrebounded Al Adalah 47-31 including 37 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import center Anthony McClain (211-1988, college: Cincinnati) helped adding 16 points and 21 rebounds. Stover is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Al Salam players scored in double figures. Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) responded with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals and Russian forward Andrey Semenov (200-1990, college: JMU) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Al Salam moved-up to ninth place, which they share with defeated Al Adalah. Al Salam will meet Al Ansar (#11) in the next round. Al Adalah will play against the league's second-placed Al Fateh and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: N.Stover 35+11reb+3ast, A.Nimer Hussain 21+3reb+3ast, A.McClain 16+21reb+1ast, S.Rashad 14+5reb+3ast, A.Hadi 5+1reb+1ast, H.Alnamer 3+4reb+6ast
Al Adalah: I.Elajmi 27+7reb+8ast, F.Aldawsari 22+3reb+3ast, A.Semenov 21+11reb+3ast, A.Salman 8+2reb, A.Moayad 8+4reb+3ast, S.Mahmoud 3+2reb+1ast

Al Wehda - Al Taawoun 92-70

Very expected game in Mecca where 12th ranked Al Taawoun (1-10) was rolled over by sixth ranked Al Wehda (7-4) 92-70 on Friday. Al Wehda forced 20 Al Taawoun turnovers and outrebounded them 39-25 including 29 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Al Taawoun's players. It was a great evening for American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 8 rebounds and 16 assists. The former international center Mohammed AlMarwani (206-1989) helped adding 21 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Al Wehda players scored in double figures. Al Wehda's coach Krikor Krikorian felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Domantay Sports) responded with 20 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import Justin Tuoyo (208-1994, college: Chattanooga) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Al Wehda. They moved-up to fifth place. Al Taawoun lost their ninth game in a row. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with ten games lost. They share it with Al Ansar. Al Wehda will meet higher ranked Al Nassr (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Taawoun will play against Deba (#8) in Tabuk and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: D.Jackson 22+5reb+4ast, M.AlMarwani 21+11reb+3ast, C.Collins 16+8reb+16ast, M.Thamer 11+2reb, F.Abdulrahman 10+5reb+3ast, A.Mohammed 9+1reb
Al Taawoun: D.Clark 20+5reb+3ast, A.Ahmad 16+3reb+3ast, J.Tuoyo 11+9reb+3ast, S.Almutairi 9+5reb+2ast, S.Abdin 9+1reb+3ast, A.Mustafa 5+2reb+1ast

Al Hilal - Ohod 86-87

The most exciting game of round 11 in the SBL took place in Riyadh. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked Al Hilal (6-5) to fourth ranked Ohod (8-3) 87-86 on Friday evening. The best player for the winners was American point guard James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) who scored 39 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Ohod players scored in double figures. International center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds and American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas) added 27 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Ohod moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr and Al Fateh. Defending champion Al Hilal keeps the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Ittihad. Ohod is looking forward to face Ittihad (#6) in Jeddah in the next round. Al Hilal's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riyadh Al Hilal.
Top scorers:
Ohod: J.Justice 39+5reb+1ast, J.Washington 17+9reb, S.Mohammad 13+6reb+1ast, F.Belal 11+5reb+9ast, A.Ahmed 4+1reb+1ast, A.Almukhtar 3+2reb+2ast
Al Hilal: C.Chapman 27+9reb, A.Mohammed 27+13reb+1ast, M.Lyons 25+2reb+5ast, O.Albargawi 4+5reb+3ast, I.Mustafa 3+5reb+4ast, A.Alwaleed 0

Al Fateh - Al Nassr 92-82

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Al Nassr (8-3) against fourth ranked Al Fateh (8-3) on Saturday night. Visiting Al Nassr was defeated by Al Fateh in Al Hasa 92-82. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Nassr. Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international center Hani Al Mohammed (202-1989) contributed with 15 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Al Fateh players scored in double figures. American swingman Brandon Austin (198-1994, college: NW Florida St.) answered with 36 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) and the other American import forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Al Nassr. Al Fateh have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr and Ohod. Al Fateh will play against Al Adalah (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Nassr will play against Al Wehda (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: M.Harat 37+12reb+5ast, H.Al Mohammed 15+6reb+2ast, C.Thomas 14+4reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 12+3reb+4ast, A.Saad 5+4reb+3ast, A.Khodeir Ali 4+1reb
Al Nassr: B.Austin 36+9reb+3ast, A.Campbell 14+7reb, A.Salem 10+2reb+2ast, A.Khalid 9+1ast, A.Jallas Nasser 7+5reb+3ast, K.Musab 6+1reb



Tags : JAMES JUSTICE, OHOD MEDINA, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL