SBL Round 10 (Regular Season): Top-ranked Al-Ula wins another game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

SBL top team - Al-Ula (10-0) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Al Salam (4-6) 111-81. Al-Ula forced 19 Al Salam turnovers and outrebounded them 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 35 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Al Salam's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!). contributed with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American forward Alex Young (198-1989, college: IUPUI) replied with 20 points and 6 assists for Al Salam. Undefeated Al-Ula have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 10-0 record. Al Salam at the other side dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Mudhar. Al-Ula are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Ohod (#10) in Medina in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Salam will play against Al Khewaildia (#9) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game in was also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Al Fateh (5-5) played at the court of 8th ranked Al Khaleej (1-9). Al Fateh did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 69-51. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and Lazar Nekic chipped in 29 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) responded with 16 points and 6 assists. Al Khaleej's coach Albechir Al-asmi rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Al Fateh moved-up to fifth place. Al Khaleej at the other side keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Khewaildia. Al Fateh will play against league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Khaleej will play against Mudhar (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Al Ahli (8-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Mudhar (4-6). Al Ahli smashed Mudhar 112-65 on Friday. Tyler Stone notched a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) to lead the effort. Even 18 points and 6 rebounds by Jason Jitoboh did not help to save the game for Mudhar. 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 8-1 record having just three points less than leader Al-Ula. Newly promoted Mudhar dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Al Salam. Al Ahli will meet at home Al Fateh (#5) in the next round. Mudhar will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 10 Al Khewaildia was smashed by Al Ittihad on the road 135-56. Bottom-ranked Ohod was destroyed by Al Nasr on its own court 58-98.



Al Ittihad - Al Khewaildia 135-56

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Al Ittihad (7-2) crushed 9th ranked Al Khewaildia (1-9) in Jeddah 135-56 on Friday. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 28 and made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Al Ittihad forced 21 Al Khewaildia turnovers and outrebounded them 55-23 including a 20-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Al Khewaildia's players. American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) notched a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, 18 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and the other American import forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) supported him with 29 points and 12 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Neal is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) did not help to save the game for Al Khewaildia. American forward Keondre Jackson (203, college: Clayton St.) added 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Al Ittihad have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fourth position with 7-2 record. Al Khewaildia lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Ohod and Al Khaleej. Al Ittihad will meet at home higher ranked Al Nasr (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Salam (#7) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: S.Ibrahima 20+6reb+4ast, K.Jackson 14+11reb+4ast, S.Ahmed 9+2ast, A.Abass 7+3reb+1ast, A.Ahmed 4+1reb, S.Mohammed 1+2reb+2ast
Al Ittihad: W.Michael 29+12reb+1ast, N.Erick 22+10reb+18ast, E.Jarell 17+2reb+3ast, M.Almarwani 15+5reb+1ast, O.Albargawi 13+3reb+2ast, M.Kadi 12+8reb

Al-Ula - Al Salam 111-81

SBL top team - Al-Ula (10-0) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Al Salam (4-6) 111-81. Al-Ula forced 19 Al Salam turnovers and outrebounded them 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 35 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Al Salam's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!). Mohammed Alsuwailem contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American forward Alex Young (198-1989, college: IUPUI) replied with 20 points and 6 assists and Almohammed Hani added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Al Salam. Five Al-Ula and four Al Salam players scored in double figures. Al-Ula have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 10-0 record. Al Salam at the other side dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Mudhar. Al-Ula are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Ohod (#10) in Medina in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Salam will play against Al Khewaildia (#9) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: A.Young 20+3reb+6ast, M.Nguirane 14+5reb, S.Hurt 14+6reb+3ast, H.Almohammed 14+7reb+4ast, A.Hadi 8+3reb, A.Ahmed 4+1reb+4ast
Al-Ula: G.Jonathan 36+4reb+3ast, M.Alsaqer 20+6reb+5ast, M.Thon 19+11reb+11ast, M.Alsuwailem 19+16reb+6ast, A.Aljezani 10+7ast, M.Saleh 5+2reb+3ast

Al Khaleej - Al Fateh 51-69

The game in was also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Al Fateh (5-5) played at the court of 8th ranked Al Khaleej (1-9). Al Fateh did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 69-51. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and Serbian center Lazar Nekic (213-1999, college: LMU) chipped in 29 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) responded with 16 points and 6 assists and scored 8 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. Al Khaleej's coach Albechir Al-asmi rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Al Fateh moved-up to fifth place. Al Khaleej at the other side keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Khewaildia. Al Fateh will play against league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Khaleej will play against Mudhar (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: A.Almonthadhar 16+3reb+6ast, K.Thornton 11+8reb+1ast, A.Mahdi 8, M.Lino 8+13reb+1ast, E.Fawaz 4+1reb, A.Mohammed 2+3reb+1ast
Al Fateh: N.Lazar 29+6reb+2ast, S.Mamadou 18+20reb+2ast, H.Alrasheed 8+3reb+11ast, H.Aljohar 7+2reb+2ast, M.Al-Rasheed 5+3reb, A.Al-Khodeir 2+3reb+3ast

Ohod - Al Nasr 58-98

Very expected game when 10th ranked Ohod (1-9) was smashed by third ranked Al Nasr (8-2) in Medina 98-58 on Friday. Al Nasr dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 30. Al Nasr forced 21 Ohod turnovers and outrebounded them 50-31 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Nasr looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Ohod's players. Algerian Mohamed Harat (198-1990) notched 22 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all ten shots !!!) to lead the effort and American guard Bailey Hardy (188-2000, college: LCU) supported him with 24 points and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds by American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) did not help to save the game for Ohod. The other his fellow American import import forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 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 Nasr maintains third position with 8-2 record having just two points less than leader Al-Ula. Ohod lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with nine games lost. They share the position with Al Khaleej and Al Khewaildia. Al Nasr will meet Al Ittihad (#4) in the next round. Ohod will play against the league's leader Al-Ula (#1) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ohod: O.Ahmed 16+11reb, F.Abdulrahman 16+6reb+4ast, A.Mohammed 14+4reb+1ast, A.Sultan 8+4reb+1ast, A.Yousef 2+1reb, A.Majed 2+2reb
Al Nasr: H.Bailey 24+3reb+4ast, H.Mohamed 22+8reb+2ast, A.Brandon 14+8reb+5ast, B.Alsulimani 8+4reb+3ast, A.Abdulla 6+7reb, M.Kadi 6+11reb+6ast

Mudhar - Al Ahli 65-112

The game in supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Al Ahli (8-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Mudhar (4-6). Al Ahli smashed Mudhar 112-65 on Friday. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Mudhar's 32. Al Ahli forced 21 Mudhar turnovers and outrebounded them 59-26 including a 19-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Mudhar's players. American Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) to lead the effort and the former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) supported him with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 6 rebounds by Nigerian center Jason Jitoboh (211-2001, college: Tennessee St., agency: JCK Sports Group) did not help to save the game for Mudhar. American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: BIG) added 17 points 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 Ahli maintains second position with 8-1 record having just three points less than leader Al-Ula. Newly promoted Mudhar dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Al Salam. Al Ahli will meet at home Al Fateh (#5) in the next round. Mudhar will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mudhar: J.Jitoboh 18+6reb+2ast, V.Hendrix 17+4reb+3ast, A.Mosa 11+5reb+3ast, A.Abdullah 6+5reb, A.Mohammed 5+1reb+1ast, A.Saleh 3+1reb
Al Ahli: S.Tyler 34+12reb, M.Alfonzo 15+13reb+2ast, A.Khalid 13+10reb+9ast, P.Justin 10+10reb+1ast, A.Mahfuth 8+1reb+1ast, F.Belal 8+5reb+7ast