SBL Round 9 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Al Ittihad defeats Al Safa

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

SBL top team - Al Ittihad (9-0) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Al Safa (3-6) in Safwa 84-56. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Al Safa's 28. They outrebounded Al Safa 53-29 including a 39-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Nigerian Suleiman Braimoh (203-1989, college: Rice) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was British center Legend Robertin (216-1994, college: Nicholls) with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Undefeated Al Ittihad have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Newly promoted Al Safa dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Salam. Al Ittihad are looking forward to face Al Khaleej (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Safa will play against the league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (0-9) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their ninth consecutive match to third ranked Al-Ula (7-2) 103-70. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) nailed 34 points (!!!) for the winning side and Sylven Landesberg accounted for 15 points and 7 rebounds. Coach Stratos Koukoulekidis's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee) came up with 20 points and 5 rebounds for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al-Ula. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad, which they share with Al Nasr. Al Khewaildia lost their ninth game in a row. Al Khewaildia at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with nine games lost. Al-Ula will play against Al Fateh (#5) in Al Hasa in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play at home against Al Nasr (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Medina was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Al Fateh (4-5) played at the court of 8th ranked Ohod (2-7). Al Fateh managed to secure a 8-point victory 84-76 on Monday. The best player for the winners was Nick Stover who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds. Al Fateh's coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Kenny Hayes who recorded a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Fateh. They moved-up to fifth place. Loser Ohod keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Al Khaleej. Al Fateh will meet at home higher ranked Al-Ula (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ohod will play against Al Salam (#7) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 9 Al Ahli won against Al Khaleej on the opponent's court 82-65. Al Nasr outscored Al Salam in a home game 92-71.



Al Khaleej - Al Ahli 65-82

Very expected game when 9th ranked Al Khaleej (2-7) was defeated at home by second ranked Al Ahli (8-1) 82-65 on Monday. Al Ahli forced 24 Al Khaleej turnovers. The best player for the winners was American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Perry Jones III (211-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds and American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) added 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals respectively. Al Ahli maintains second place with 8-1 record behind leader Al Ittihad. Newly promoted Al Khaleej dropped to the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Ohod. Al Ahli will meet at home Al Safa (#6) in the next round. Al Khaleej will play against the league's leader Al Ittihad in Jeddah and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: Q.Davis 20+6reb+5ast, R.Amardi 20+13reb+1ast, I.Entaif 9+3reb+1ast, H.Ali 6+6reb, M.Al-Hezam 3+3reb+1ast, M.Alahmed 3+4reb+1ast
Al Ahli: D.Ebanks 22+10reb+2ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 17+6reb+2ast, P.Jones III 12+15reb+3ast, D.Hall 9+2reb, A.Mahfuth 9+1ast, M.Almuwallad 9+5reb+3ast

Al Nasr - Al Salam 92-71

Rather predictable result in Riyadh where fourth ranked Al Nasr (7-2) smashed 7th ranked Al Salam (3-6) 92-71 on Monday. Al Nasr made 28-of-33 free shots (84.8 percent) during the game, while Al Salam only scored eight points from the stripe. Al Nasr forced 20 Al Salam turnovers. The best player for the winners was American Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) chipped in 32 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (went 13 for 13 at the free throw line !!!). McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. At the other side the best for losing team was Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds and guard Hassan Binmohammed (181-1990) added 14 points and 7 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 Nasr moved-up to third place, which they share with Al-Ula. Al Salam lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Safa. Al Nasr will meet bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Salam will play against Ohod (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: M.Samb 25+12reb+1ast, H.Binmohammed 14+7reb+1ast, M.Iqbal 10+3reb+4ast, H.Aldarwish 8+2reb+3ast, M.Swaileh 6+3reb, F.Ekhwan 3+2reb
Al Nasr: E.McCree 33+18reb+6ast, D.McGill 32+5reb+5ast, B.Alsulimani 12+2reb+2ast, M.Nguirane 4+6reb, S.Almutairi 4+2reb+1ast, N.Abo Jallas 2+4reb

Al-Ula - Al Khewaildia 103-70

Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (0-9) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their ninth consecutive match to third ranked Al-Ula (7-2) 103-70. Al-Ula dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 30 and made 18-of-20 charity shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Al Khewaildia 42-26 including 27 on the defensive glass. Al-Ula players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Al Khewaildia's players. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) nailed 34 points (!!!) for the winning side and American-Austrian swingman Sylven Landesberg (198-1990, college: Virginia) accounted for 15 points and 7 rebounds. Coach Stratos Koukoulekidis's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee) came up with 20 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import forward Zo Tyson (206-1995, college: IUPUI) added 15 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. Four Al Khewaildia players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al-Ula. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad, which they share with Al Nasr. Al Khewaildia lost their ninth game in a row. Al Khewaildia at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with nine games lost. Al-Ula will play against Al Fateh (#5) in Al Hasa in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play at home against Al Nasr (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: J.Jones 20+5reb+2ast, Z.Tyson 15+5reb, M.Alsalem 14+3reb+1ast, C.Berry 12+6reb, A.Al-Mahroos 7+3reb+3ast, A.Swuilah 2+2reb
Al-Ula: J.Gibson 34+4reb+3ast, S.Landesberg 15+7reb+2ast, T.Wimbush 14+5reb+2ast, A.Alalawi 9+7reb+6ast, M.Saleh 7+1reb, A.Almukhtar 6+1reb+4ast

Al Safa - Al Ittihad 56-84

SBL top team - Al Ittihad (9-0) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Al Safa (3-6) in Safwa 84-56. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Al Safa's 28. They outrebounded Al Safa 53-29 including a 39-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international Mathna Almarwani (186-1992) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Nigerian Suleiman Braimoh (203-1989, college: Rice) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. Five Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was British center Legend Robertin (216-1994, college: Nicholls) with 12 points and 9 rebounds and South Sudanese guard Dhieu Abwok (196-2001, college: UTSA) scored 14 points. Al Ittihad have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Newly promoted Al Safa dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Salam. Al Ittihad are looking forward to face Al Khaleej (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Safa will play against the league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Abwok 14+2reb+3ast, L.Robertin 12+9reb+1ast, S.Hawsawi 9+3reb+1ast, A.Alahmed 8+6reb+1ast, C.Alley Jr. 7+5reb+2ast, H.Alshobbar 5+3reb+2ast
Al Ittihad: S.Braimoh 19+5reb+2ast, M.Almarwani 13+15reb+4ast, M.Maker 11+10reb+3ast, M.AlMarwani 10+5reb+1ast, K.DeShields 10+3reb+6ast, Y.Aljohani 7+6reb

Ohod - Al Fateh 76-84

The game in Medina was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Al Fateh (4-5) played at the court of 8th ranked Ohod (2-7). Al Fateh managed to secure a 8-point victory 84-76 on Monday. The best player for the winners was American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds. The former international guard Turki Almuhanna (183-1988) chipped in 21 points. Worth to mention Stover played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Al Fateh's coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Kenny Hayes (189-1987, college: Miami, OH) who recorded a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and Osama Alzahrani added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Four Ohod players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Fateh. They moved-up to fifth place. Loser Ohod keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Al Khaleej. Al Fateh will meet at home higher ranked Al-Ula (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ohod will play against Al Salam (#7) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: K.Hayes 19+10reb+11ast, O.Alzahrani 17+5reb+1ast, A.Fallatah 12+3reb+1ast, M.Alhawsawi 10+3reb, A.Mitrovic 6+3reb+2ast, F.Niles 5+8reb
Al Fateh: N.Stover 27+17reb+3ast, T.Almuhanna 21+2reb+3ast, S.Millinghaus 9+5reb+4ast, J.MBida 8+10reb+1ast, H.Al-Mohammed 6+3reb, H.Alrasheed 6+2reb