SBL Round 6 (Regular Season): Al Ittihad defeat Al-Ula in the closest game of the week

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 6 in the SBL took place in Jeddah. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 4th ranked Al-Ula (4-2) to top-ranked Al Ittihad (6-0) 67-64 on Monday evening. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) had a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international center Mohammed AlMarwani (206-1989) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated Al Ittihad have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Nassr. Newly promoted Al-Ula keeps the fourth place with two games lost. Al Ittihad 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 Al Salam (#5) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
SBL top team - Al Ahli (6-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Ohod (1-5) in Jeddah 96-65. American guard Darius Hall (188, college: Bryant & Str OH) notched 20 points to lead the effort and Devin Ebanks supported him with 17 points. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 19 points by Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic (203-1990) did not help to save the game for Ohod. Undefeated Al Ahli have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record, which they share with Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. Ohod at the other side dropped to the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Khaleej and Al Fateh. Al Ahli will play against Al Nassr (#3) in Riyadh in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Ohod will play at home against the league's second-placed Al Ittihad (#2) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (0-6) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their sixth consecutive match to fifth ranked Al Salam (3-3) 92-59 on Monday evening. The best player for the winners was Donte Clark who scored 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 9 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Jermale Jones who recorded 27 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 Salam maintains fifth position with 3-3 record. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia still closes the standings with six games lost. Al Salam will meet at home higher ranked Al-Ula (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Fateh (#7) in Al Hasa and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last two games of round 6 Al Khaleej lost to undefeated Al Nassr on the opponent's court 76-84. Al Safa managed to outperform Al Fateh in a home game 79-72.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists by Shadell Millinghaus of Al Fateh.



Al Nassr - Al Khaleej 84-76

Very expected game in Riyadh where 7th ranked Al Khaleej (1-5) was defeated by top-ranked Al Nassr (6-0) 84-76 on Monday. Al Nassr forced 21 Al Khaleej turnovers. The best player for the winners was American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) who scored 41 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. Nasser Abo Jallas chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds and Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) added 17 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Al Nassr have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Ittihad. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Ohod and Al Fateh. Al Nassr will meet league's leader Al Ahli in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Khaleej will play against Al Safa (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Nassr: D.McGill 41+9reb, N.Abo Jallas 13+7reb+3ast, S.Almutairi 9+3reb+2ast, F.Fakihi 8+7reb+1ast, M.Nguirane 4+12reb, A.Alhawsawi 3+2reb+3ast
Al Khaleej: Q.Davis 28+12reb+3ast, R.Amardi 17+21reb+4ast, M.Al-Hezam 9+3reb, H.Ali 9+3reb, A.Al-Darweesh 4+4reb+2ast, I.Entaif 4+7reb+1ast

Al Ahli - Ohod 96-65

SBL top team - Al Ahli (6-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Ohod (1-5) in Jeddah 96-65. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 44. Al Ahli players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Ohod's players. American guard Darius Hall (188, college: Bryant & Str OH) notched 20 points to lead the effort and the other American import forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) supported him with 17 points. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Al Ahli's coach Ali Alsanhani felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 19 points by Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic (203-1990) did not help to save the game for Ohod. American guard Kenny Hayes (189-1987, college: Miami, OH) added 17 points. Al Ahli have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record, which they share with Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. Ohod at the other side dropped to the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Khaleej and Al Fateh. Al Ahli will play against Al Nassr (#3) in Riyadh in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Ohod will play at home against the league's second-placed Al Ittihad (#2) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: D.Hall 20+4reb+2ast, D.Ebanks 17+4reb+3ast, P.Jones III 11+7reb+5ast, M.Almuwallad 11+1reb+4ast, T.Mohammed 10+4reb, A.Shubayli 10+5reb+1ast
Ohod: A.Mitrovic 19+3reb, K.Hayes 17+1reb+1ast, A.Fallatah 10+4reb+2ast, F.Niles 8+6reb+1ast, A.Obaidi 6+7reb, M.Altasan 3+3reb+3ast

Al Salam - Al Khewaildia 92-59

Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (0-6) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their sixth consecutive match to fifth ranked Al Salam (3-3) 92-59 on Monday evening. Al Salam outrebounded Al Khewaildia 45-27 including a 37-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Donte Clark (194-1994, college: Texas Southern) who scored 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) chipped in a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee) who recorded 27 points and his fellow American import forward Zo Tyson (206-1995, college: IUPUI) added 6 points and 10 rebounds respectively. 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 Salam maintains fifth position with 3-3 record. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia still closes the standings with six games lost. Al Salam will meet at home higher ranked Al-Ula (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Fateh (#7) in Al Hasa and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: D.Clark 33+9reb+9ast, M.Samb 29+14reb+2ast, A.Swaileh 9+5reb+2ast, R.Almatroud 8+10reb+2ast, H.Aldarwish 7+2reb+1ast, H.Binmohammed 2+1reb
Al Khewaildia: J.Jones 27+4reb+2ast, M.Alsalem 8+6reb+2ast, A.Al-Mahroos 7+1reb+1ast, Z.Tyson 6+10reb+1ast, A.Al-Omayri 5, C.Berry 3+1reb

Al Ittihad - Al-Ula 67-64

The most exciting game of round 6 in the SBL took place in Jeddah. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 4th ranked Al-Ula (4-2) to top-ranked Al Ittihad (6-0) 67-64 on Monday evening. American guard Antwan Scott (185-1992, college: Colorado St.) had a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international center Mohammed AlMarwani (206-1989) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) with 22 points and 8 rebounds and the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) scored 16 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Al Ittihad have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahli and Al Nassr. Newly promoted Al-Ula keeps the fourth place with two games lost. Al Ittihad 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 Al Salam (#5) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: M.AlMarwani 19+5reb+1ast, O.Albargawi 14+4reb+2ast, M.Maker 12+10reb+2ast, A.Scott 11+10reb+6ast, A.Fallatah 6+2reb+2ast, S.Braimoh 4+3reb+2ast
Al-Ula: T.Wimbush 22+8reb+3ast, M.Alsuwailem 16+8reb, Q.Cook 12+8reb+3ast, A.Alalawi 4+1reb, A.Almukhtar 4+9reb+1ast, S.Landesberg 4+6reb+2ast

Al Safa - Al Fateh 79-72

Everything could happen in Safwa at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Al Safa and 6th ranked Al Fateh had identical 1-4 record. This time Al Safa used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Al Hasa 79-72 on Monday night. Al Safa made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Al Fateh turnovers. The best player for the winners was American forward Cedrick Alley Jr (198, college: UTSA) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. South Sudanese guard Dhieu Abwok (196-2001, college: UTSA) chipped in 24 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Shadell Millinghaus (188-1994, college: Georgetown, KY) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists and Cameroonian center Junior MBida (206-1990) added 22 points and 13 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Al Safa (2-4) moved-up to sixth place. Loser Al Fateh dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Khaleej. Al Safa will meet Al Khaleej (#8) in the next round. Al Fateh will play against Al Khewaildia and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Abwok 24+4reb+2ast, C.Alley Jr. 22+13reb+1ast, A.Qashqri 10+1reb+3ast, S.Hawsawi 8, R.Alahmed 4+2reb+2ast, H.Alshobbar 3+2reb+1ast
Al Fateh: S.Millinghaus 24+20reb+5ast, J.MBida 22+13reb, S.Al-Subaiei 12+1reb+3ast, H.Aljohar 5+2reb+1ast, M.Al-Moussaad 3+1reb, M.Al-Rasheed 2