SBL Round 16: Top-ranked Al Ahli wins another game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

SBL top team - Al Ahli (14-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they beat sixth ranked Al Wehda (9-7) in Mecca 95-78. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 steals. The former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) contributed with 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) replied with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (made all of his fourteen free throws !!!) for Al Wehda. Al Ahli maintains first position with 14-1 record. Al Wehda at the other side keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. Al Ahli are looking forward to face Al Taawoun (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Wehda will play against Al Salam (#9) in Al-Awamiyah and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game in Riyadh was also worth to mention about. One of their biggest challengers Al Fateh (11-5) played at the court of fifth ranked Al Hilal (11-6). Al Hilal managed to secure a 7-point victory 92-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Fateh. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and Clinton Chapman who added 24 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Al Hilal have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 11-6 record. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Al Hilal will play against Ittihad (#7) in Jeddah in the next round. Al Fateh will play on the road against Al Ansar in Medina and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Tabuk was also quite interesting. Third ranked Ohod (13-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Deba (5-10). Ohod defeated Deba 100-86 on Friday. The winners were led by Fahad Belal who scored that evening 41 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 29 points and 24 rebounds by Vladyslav Koreniuk did not help to save the game for Deba. Ohod have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr. Loser Deba keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Ohod will meet league's second-placed Al Nassr in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Deba will play against Al Adalah (#11) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 16 were not that significant. Al Adalah was smashed by Al Taawoun on the road 85-66. Ittihad won against Al Salam on its own court 93-77. Bottom-ranked Al Ansar was outscored by Al Nassr in Riyadh 115-87.

Al Wehda - Al Ahli 78-95

SBL top team - Al Ahli (14-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they beat sixth ranked Al Wehda (9-7) in Mecca 95-78. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Deandre Liggins (198-1988, college: Kentucky) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 steals. The former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) contributed with 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American point guard Chauncey Collins (183-1995, college: TCU) replied with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (made all of his fourteen free throws !!!) and his fellow American import forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Al Wehda. Five Al Ahli and four Al Wehda players scored in double figures. Al Ahli maintains first position with 14-1 record. Al Wehda at the other side keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. Al Ahli are looking forward to face Al Taawoun (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Wehda will play against Al Salam (#9) in Al-Awamiyah and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al Wehda: C.Collins 22+6reb+7ast, M.Thamer 19+3reb, D.Jackson 18+6reb+5ast, F.Abdulrahman 11+8reb+5ast, M.AlMarwani 4+5reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 2+1ast
Al Ahli: D.Liggins 22+13reb+12ast, M.Almuwallad 21+8reb+2ast, K.Josephs 16+5reb+1ast, B.Ayman 12+1reb+3ast, A.Shubayli 10+5reb+1ast, S.Mohammed 7+4reb+1ast

Al Taawoun - Al Adalah 85-66

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eleventh ranked Al Taawoun (3-13) crushed at home 10th ranked Al Adalah (3-13) 85-66 on Friday. The winners were led by American guard Darious Clark (193-1990, college: Slippery Rock, agency: Domantay Sports) who scored that evening 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian power forward Aleksandar Marelja (207-1992, agency: BeoBasket) supported him with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Clark is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Al Taawoun players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds by Russian forward Andrey Semenov (200-1990, college: JMU) did not help to save the game for Al Adalah. Tunisian swingman Islem Elajmi (196-1991) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Al Taawoun moved-up to tenth place, which they share with defeated Al Adalah. Al Adalah lost seventh consecutive game. Al Taawoun will meet league's leader Al Ahli in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Adalah will play against Deba (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Adalah: A.Semenov 21+10reb+1ast, I.Elajmi 13+6reb+5ast, F.Aldawsari 10+1reb+2ast, A.Saqer Khalid 9+9reb+2ast, A.Moayad 6+1reb, S.Mohanned 4
Al Taawoun: D.Clark 31+6reb+4ast, A.Ahmad 19+8reb+2ast, A.Marelja 16+10reb+5ast, S.Almutairi 12+7reb+4ast, A.Mustafa 5+3reb, A.Azhar 2+1reb+1ast

Ittihad - Al Salam 93-77

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Al Salam (4-12) lost to seventh ranked Ittihad (8-8) in Jeddah 77-93 on Friday. Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by Tunisian point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) who scored that evening 32 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American power forward Charles Rhodes (203-1985, college: MSU) supported him with 21 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Even a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) by American center Anthony McClain (211-1988, college: Cincinnati) did not help to save the game for Al Salam. His fellow American import forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ittihad maintains seventh position with 8-8 record. Al Salam lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 12 games lost. Ittihad will meet higher ranked Al Hilal (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Salam will play against Al Wehda (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: A.McClain 26+11reb, N.Stover 18+7reb+5ast, A.Bader 11+2reb+5ast, A.Hadi 9+3reb, S.Rashad 6+6reb+1ast, A.Abdulaziz 3+3reb
Ittihad: O.Abada 32+6reb+6ast, C.Rhodes 21+8reb+1ast, A.Yasir 19+1reb+4ast, A.Abdelmalek 8+3reb+10ast, M.Almarwani 7+3reb+2ast, A.Abdullah 6+4reb+1ast

Al Nassr - Al Ansar 115-87

Very predictable result when second ranked Al Nassr (13-3) rolled over bottom-ranked Al Ansar (1-14) in Riyadh 115-87 on Friday. Al Nassr dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ansar's 38. They outrebounded Al Ansar 50-23 including a 36-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Nassr looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Al Ansar's players. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by forward Antonio Campbell (206-1994, college: Ohio) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field) and guard Kenny Brown (188-1991, college: Ferris St., agency: SLN) supported him with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 26 points and 5 rebounds by point guard Jawan Davis (184-1989, college: Claflin, agency: Interperformances) did not help to save the game for Al Ansar. Guard Kelechi Ajukwa (201-1995, college: Charlotte) added 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Five Al Nassr and four Al Ansar players scored in double figures. Al Nassr have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-3 record behind leader Al Ahli, which they share with Ohod. Al Ansar lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 14 games lost. Al Nassr will meet at home Ohod (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Ansar will play against Al Fateh (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Ansar: J.Davis 26+5reb+1ast, K.Ajukwa 17+10reb+4ast, A.Salman 16+1reb+2ast, S.Khaled 11+1reb+2ast, A.Ahmed 9+1reb+1ast, A.Abdullah 8+5reb
Al Nassr: A.Campbell 33+14reb+1ast, K.Brown 28+6reb+5ast, A.Jallas Nasser 14+16reb+3ast, J.Al Kabe 11+4reb+9ast, K.Musab 10+7reb+2ast, A.Salem 8+3reb+3ast

Al Hilal - Al Fateh 92-85

The game in Riyadh was also worth to mention about. One of their biggest challengers Al Fateh (11-5) played at the court of fifth ranked Al Hilal (11-6). Al Hilal managed to secure a 7-point victory 92-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Fateh. Al Hilal made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas) who added 24 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Al Hilal players scored in double figures. At the losing side Algerian forward Mohamed Harat (198-1990) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 6 assists and American guard Falando Jones (193-1990, college: MVSU) scored 36 points (!!!). Al Hilal have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 11-6 record. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Al Hilal will play against Ittihad (#7) in Jeddah in the next round. Al Fateh will play on the road against Al Ansar in Medina and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: F.Jones 36+4reb+1ast, M.Harat 33+12reb+6ast, A.Khodeir Ali 8+2reb, H.Al Mohammed 5+5reb, A.Mohammed 2+5reb+5ast, A.Abdullah 1
Al Hilal: O.Albargawi 25+4reb+2ast, C.Chapman 24+7reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 20+12reb+3ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 14+3reb+9ast, N.Alabsi 9+3reb+1ast, B.Jubran Meshari 0

Deba - Ohod 86-100

The game in Tabuk was also quite interesting. Third ranked Ohod (13-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Deba (5-10). Ohod defeated Deba 100-86 on Friday. The winners were led by the former international point guard Fahad Belal (181-1991) who scored that evening 41 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and American forward Jordan Washington (203-1993, college: Iona, agency: Interperformances) supported him with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Even a double-double of 29 points and 24 rebounds by Ukrainian center Vladyslav Koreniuk (210-1994, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Deba. American guard Unique McLean (188, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) added 21 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Ohod have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Nassr. Loser Deba keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Ohod will meet league's second-placed Al Nassr in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Deba will play against Al Adalah (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Deba: V.Koreniuk 29+24reb+2ast, U.McLean 21+12reb+3ast, A.Osama 9+3reb+1ast, A.Abdullah 8+2ast, H.Jassim 7+3reb+2ast, H.Hisham 6
Ohod: F.Belal 41+6reb+3ast, J.Washington 20+15reb+2ast, J.Justice 17+8reb+3ast, Y.Fallatah 8+2reb+3ast, A.Almukhtar 7+3reb+2ast, S.Mohammad 5



Tags : DEANDRE LIGGINS, AL AHLI JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIAN BASKETBALL