SBL Round 5 (Regular Season): Al Ahli hands first loss to Al-Ula

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al-Ula (4-1) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Al Ahli (5-0) 85-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al-Ula. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by Al-Ula helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 4 assists. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds for Al-Ula. Undefeated Al Ahli have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. Newly promoted Al-Ula keeps the fourth position with one game lost. Al Ahli is looking forward to face Ohod (#9) in Medina in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al-Ula will play on the road against the league's second-placed Al Ittihad (#2) in Jeddah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game for Al Salam (2-3) which played on the court of 5th ranked Al Khaleej (1-4). Seventh ranked Al Salam won 72-66. American guard Donte Clark (194-1994, college: Texas Southern) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Mamadou Samb chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. Al Salam's coach Aqeel Milad allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Al Salam moved-up to fifth place. Newly promoted Al Khaleej dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Al Salam will play against bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Khaleej will play against Al Nassr (#3) in Riyadh to get more than just one victory in their record.
Ohod's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in , where they edged Al Khewaildia (0-5) 94-92 on Friday. Fuquan Niles nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winning side. Jermale Jones came up with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. Al Khewaildia's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ohod (1-4) left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. It was Al Khewaildia's fifth loss in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with five games lost. Ohod will meet league's leader Al Ahli in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Salam (#5) in Al-Awamiyah and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last two games of round 5 Al Ittihad beat Al Fateh on the road 80-68. Al Nassr destroyed Al Safa on its own court 102-75.
The most impressive performance of 5th round was 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Donte McGill of Al Nassr.



Al-Ula - Al Ahli 80-85

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al-Ula (4-1) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Al Ahli (5-0) 85-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al-Ula. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by Al-Ula helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international guard Khalid Abdel-Gabar (188-1990, college: Windsor) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 4 assists. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds and American forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) added 8 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Al-Ula. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Ahli have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. Newly promoted Al-Ula keeps the fourth position with one game lost. Al Ahli is looking forward to face Ohod (#9) in Medina in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al-Ula will play on the road against the league's second-placed Al Ittihad (#2) in Jeddah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: K.Abdel-Gabar 22+3reb+4ast, D.Ebanks 19+8reb, M.Almuwallad 12+5reb+2ast, P.Jones III 11+8reb+6ast, A.Shubayli 10+2reb+2ast, D.Hall 9+10reb+1ast
Al-Ula: M.Alsuwailem 19+17reb+1ast, A.Alalawi 14+1reb+1ast, W.Kurani 14+3reb+1ast, A.Aljezani 12+2reb+1ast, Q.Cook 10+5reb+2ast, T.Wimbush 8+7reb+3ast

Al Fateh - Al Ittihad 68-80

No shocking result in a game when leader Al Ittihad (5-0) beat 8th ranked Al Fateh (1-4) in Al Hasa 80-68 on Friday. Al Ittihad outrebounded Al Fateh 46-30 including a 18-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kenyan-Australian power forward Makur Maker (212-2000, college: Howard) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds for the winning side and the former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) accounted for 19 points and 8 rebounds. Five Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cameroonian center Junior MBida (206-1990) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Shadell Millinghaus (188-1994, college: Georgetown, KY) added 21 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Al Fateh in the defeat. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Ittihad. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Nassr. Al Fateh at the other side dropped to the sixth place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Ittihad will meet at home Al-Ula (#4) in the next round. Al Fateh will play against Al Safa in Safwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: M.Almarwani 19+8reb+3ast, M.Maker 16+14reb+2ast, M.AlMarwani 12+7reb, N.Alabsi 11+3ast, S.Braimoh 10+5reb, M.Alhwsawi 6+1reb
Al Fateh: S.Millinghaus 21+8reb+2ast, J.MBida 18+11reb+3ast, S.Al-Subaiei 10+2reb+3ast, T.Almuhanna 8+3reb+2ast, H.Aljohar 5+2ast, H.Al-Mohammed 2+4reb

Al Khaleej - Al Salam 66-72

Another exciting game for Al Salam (2-3) which played on the court of 5th ranked Al Khaleej (1-4). Seventh ranked Al Salam won 72-66. American guard Donte Clark (194-1994, college: Texas Southern) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. Al Salam's coach Aqeel Milad allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds and American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) scored 20 points and 5 assists. Al Salam moved-up to fifth place. Newly promoted Al Khaleej dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Al Salam will play against bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Khaleej will play against Al Nassr (#3) in Riyadh to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: M.Samb 26+8reb+2ast, D.Clark 22+12reb+3ast, A.AlQassab 12+1reb+2ast, A.Swaileh 4+2reb, R.Almatroud 4+2reb, F.Ekhwan 2+6reb
Al Khaleej: R.Amardi 25+9reb+2ast, Q.Davis 20+4reb+5ast, M.Almaateeq 9+3reb+1ast, H.Ali 6+4reb, I.Entaif 4+6reb+1ast, M.Alzawad 2+1reb

Al Khewaildia - Ohod 92-94

Ohod's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in , where they edged Al Khewaildia (0-5) 94-92 on Friday. Ohod shot 22 for 39 from the free-throw line, while Al Khewaildia only scored five points from the stripe. American center Fuquan Niles (211-1995, college: CWU, agency: Interperformances) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Kenny Hayes (189-1987, college: Miami, OH) accounted for 37 points (!!!). American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee) came up with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Manaf Alsalem added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. Five Al Khewaildia players scored in double figures. Al Khewaildia's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ohod (1-4) left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. It was Al Khewaildia's fifth loss in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with five games lost. Ohod will meet league's leader Al Ahli in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Salam (#5) in Al-Awamiyah and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Ohod: K.Hayes 37+2reb+2ast, F.Niles 23+22reb+1ast, O.Alzahrani 10+3reb+1ast, A.Fallatah 9+4reb+1ast, M.Alhawsawi 7+9reb, A.Mitrovic 4+3reb
Al Khewaildia: J.Jones 23+7reb+4ast, I.Alahmed 16+4reb+1ast, M.Alsalem 16+7reb+6ast, C.Berry 13+7reb+3ast, Z.Tyson 10+16reb+1ast, H.Al-Sadah 8+1reb+1ast

Al Nassr - Al Safa 102-75

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Al Safa (1-4) was smashed by leader Al Nassr (5-0) in Riyadh 102-75 on Friday. Al Nassr dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Safa's 36. They outrebounded Al Safa 47-33 including 16 on the offensive glass. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) nailed 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) accounted for 22 points and 8 rebounds. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Al Nassr players scored in double figures. American forward Cedrick Alley Jr (198, college: UTSA) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds and British center Legend Robertin (216-1994, college: Nicholls) added 11 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Al Safa in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Nassr. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Ittihad. Al Safa lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the sixth place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Nassr will meet at home Al Khaleej (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Al Safa will play against Al Fateh and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Nassr: D.McGill 31+6reb+4ast, E.McCree 22+8reb, B.Alsulimani 12+1reb+1ast, N.Abo Jallas 11+4reb+4ast, M.Nguirane 6+5reb+1ast, F.Aldawsari 6+3reb+1ast
Al Safa: C.Alley Jr. 16+8reb+1ast, R.Alahmed 13+4reb, L.Robertin 11+7reb, A.Qashqri 9+3reb+1ast, H.Almahdi 9+2ast, S.Hawsawi 6+1reb