SBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Al Nasr lose to Al-Ula in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top-ranked host Al-Ula (8-0) smashed 3rd ranked Al Nasr (6-2) 98-73. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 7 assists and Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Al-Ula's coach Stratos Koukoulekidis felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Algerian Mohamed Harat (198-1990) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds. Undefeated Al-Ula have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with Al Ittihad. Al-Ula are looking forward to face Mudhar (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Al Nasr will play against Al Khewaildia and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Bottom-ranked Al Khaleej (0-8) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their eighth consecutive match to fourth ranked Al Ittihad (6-2) 68-55. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) who scored that evening 17 points and 9 rebounds and Michael Watkins supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds by point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) did not help to save the game for Al Khaleej. Al Ittihad have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Nasr. Al Khaleej at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Al Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ahli.
The game in Medina supposed to be also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Al Fateh (4-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Ohod (1-7). Al Fateh smashed Ohod 91-69 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Mamadou Samb who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds. Coach Saif Mubarak's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mohammad Altasan produced 17 points and 5 assists for the hosts. Al Fateh moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Mudhar. Ohod lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Al Khewaildia. Al Fateh will meet at home Al Salam (#7) in the next round. Ohod will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 8 Al Salam was destroyed by Al Ahli on the opponent's court 111-62. Mudhar managed to outperform Al Khewaildia in a home game 95-92.



Al Khaleej - Al Ittihad 55-68

Bottom-ranked Al Khaleej (0-8) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their eighth consecutive match to fourth ranked Al Ittihad (6-2) 68-55. Al Ittihad forced 23 Al Khaleej turnovers. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) who scored that evening 17 points and 9 rebounds and forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Neal is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds by point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) did not help to save the game for Al Khaleej. point guard Kaleb Thornton (183-1999, college: Akron) added 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Al Ittihad have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Nasr. Al Khaleej at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Al Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: N.Erick 17+9reb+2ast, W.Michael 15+8reb+3ast, E.Jarell 12+9reb, N.Alabsi 7+1reb+2ast, M.Almarwani 5+5reb+2ast, M.Kadi 4+4reb
Al Khaleej: K.Thornton 18+9reb+4ast, M.Lino 17+15reb+1ast, E.Fawaz 6+2reb, A.Almonthadhar 6+1reb+2ast, A.Mahdi 6+5reb, E.Ibrahim 2+6reb+3ast

Al Ahli - Al Salam 111-62

Very expected game in Jeddah where 7th ranked Al Salam (3-5) was crushed by second ranked Al Ahli (7-1) 111-62 on Friday. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 32. Al Ahli forced 22 Al Salam turnovers and outrebounded them 44-23 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Salam's players. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The best player for the winners was Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds (on 14-of-18 shooting from the field). Forward Alfonzo McKinnie (202-1992, college: Green Bay) chipped in 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Forward Alex Young (198-1989, college: IUPUI) produced 26 points and forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St.) added 9 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. 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 maintains second position with 7-1 record behind leader Al-Ula. Loser Al Salam keeps the seventh place with five games lost. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Al Ittihad.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: M.Alfonzo 33+7reb+1ast, S.Tyler 32+11reb+1ast, P.Justin 14+7reb+5ast, A.Almuwallad 13+6reb+2ast, F.Belal 6+3reb+7ast, A.Shubayli 5+4reb+2ast
Al Salam: A.Young 26+2reb+1ast, A.Hadi 11+3reb+1ast, S.Hurt 9+6reb+2ast, A.Reda 5+2reb, M.Nguirane 5+4reb+2ast, A.Manaf 2+1reb

Ohod - Al Fateh 69-91

The game in Medina supposed to be also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Al Fateh (4-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Ohod (1-7). Al Fateh smashed Ohod 91-69 on Friday. They outrebounded Ohod 56-23 including a 16-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds. Serbian center Lazar Nekic (213-1999, college: LMU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 18 rebounds. Four Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Coach Saif Mubarak's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 17 points and 5 assists and forward Alfonzo McKinnie (202-1992, college: Green Bay) added 20 points and 6 steals respectively for the hosts. Al Fateh moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Mudhar. Ohod lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Al Khewaildia. Al Fateh will meet at home Al Salam (#7) in the next round. Ohod will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: S.Mamadou 23+17reb+2ast, N.Lazar 20+18reb+2ast, H.Alrasheed 14+7reb+5ast, A.Alkuhayli 12+3reb+3ast, H.Aljohar 8+4reb+1ast, A.Al-Khodeir 8+2reb+9ast
Ohod: F.Abdulrahman 20+2reb+3ast, A.Mohammad 17+4reb+5ast, A.Sultan 10+5reb+2ast, O.Ahmed 9+6reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 7+2reb+3ast, A.Bakr 4+1reb

Mudhar - Al Khewaildia 95-92

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Mudhar (4-4) edged at home 9th ranked Al Khewaildia (1-7) 95-92 on Friday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Mudhar looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 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 (!!!), 14 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. Nigerian center Jason Jitoboh (211-2001, college: Tennessee St., agency: JCK Sports Group) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Mudhar players scored in double figures. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) produced a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 7 assists and American forward Keondre Jackson (203, college: Clayton St.) added 18 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Mudhar have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Mudhar maintains fifth position with 4-4 record, which they share with Al Fateh. Al Khewaildia lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Ohod. Mudhar will meet at home league's leader Al-Ula in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Nasr (#3) in Riyadh and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Mudhar: H.Vante 39+14reb+9ast, M.Al-Ghezwi 18+4reb+3ast, A.Al-Oqayli 13+4reb+1ast, J.Jason 12+11reb+6ast, A.Al-Hobail 9+4reb+2ast, K.Al-Darweesh 2+2reb
Al Khewaildia: S.Ibrahima 37+10reb+7ast, K.Jackson 18+14reb+5ast, S.Ahmed 16+1ast, S.Mohammed 9+1reb+1ast, A.Abass 9+4reb+3ast, A.Ahmed 3+1reb+1ast

Al-Ula - Al Nasr 98-73

Top-ranked host Al-Ula (8-0) smashed 3rd ranked Al Nasr (6-2) 98-73. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 7 assists and Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Al-Ula's coach Stratos Koukoulekidis felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Algerian Mohamed Harat (198-1990) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds and scored 14 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al-Ula have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with Al Ittihad. Al-Ula are looking forward to face Mudhar (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Al Nasr will play against Al Khewaildia and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al-Ula: G.Jonathan 31+2reb+7ast, A.Wael 17+5reb+6ast, M.Thon 12+7reb+1ast, M.Saleh 12+4reb+2ast, M.Alsaqer 11+1reb+5ast, M.Alsuwailem 8+15reb
Al Nasr: M.Harat 20+15reb+2ast, J.Nasser 14+5reb+1ast, K.Musab 14+3reb+3ast, B.Austin 10+4reb+2ast, B.Hardy 5+5reb+4ast, A.Bader 4+1reb+1ast