SBL Round 11 (Regular Season): Al Fateh beat Al Nasr by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 11 in the SBL took place in Al Hasa. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Al Nasr (8-3) to fifth ranked Al Fateh (5-6) 77-75 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Nasr. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Shadell Millinghaus (188-1994, college: Georgetown, KY) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Hesham Alrasheed (182-2001) contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Al Fateh's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) answered with 24 points and 6 rebounds for Al Nasr. Al Fateh maintains fifth place with 5-6 record. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. Al Fateh are looking forward to face league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Nasr will play at home against the league's leader Al Ittihad and is hoping to win this game.
SBL top team - Al Ittihad (11-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed sixth ranked Al Salam (4-7) in Al-Awamiyah 104-57. It was a great evening for American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Suleiman Braimoh helped adding 20 points and 12 rebounds. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) responded with 20 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Al Ittihad have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-0 record. Al Salam at the other side keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Al Ittihad will play against Al Nasr (#4) in Riyadh in the next round. Al Salam will play on the road against Al Safa in Safwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their 11th consecutive match to second ranked Al Ahli (10-1) 109-49 on Friday evening. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for Darius Hall who led the winners and scored 30 points and 8 rebounds. Chase Berry came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Ahli. They maintain second place with 10-1 record behind leader Al Ittihad. Al Khewaildia lost their eleventh game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with 11 games lost. Al Ahli will meet Al Fateh (#5) in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Khaleej (#9) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last two games of round 11 Al Khaleej was smashed by Al-Ula on the road 85-55. Ohod won against Al Safa on its own court 97-84.
The most impressive performance of 11th round was 29 points and 8 assists by Kenny Hayes of Ohod.



Al Khewaildia - Al Ahli 49-109

Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their 11th consecutive match to second ranked Al Ahli (10-1) 109-49 on Friday evening. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 78 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 24. They outrebounded Al Khewaildia 54-32 including a 39-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Darius Hall (188, college: Bryant & Str OH) who led the winners and scored 30 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) accounted for 20 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side. Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Forward Chase Berry (198-1998, college: Boise St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds and guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee, agency: Skythletics? ) added 6 points respectively for Al Khewaildia in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Ahli. They maintain second place with 10-1 record behind leader Al Ittihad. Al Khewaildia lost their eleventh game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with 11 games lost. Al Ahli will meet Al Fateh (#5) in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Khaleej (#9) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: D.Hall 30+8reb+1ast, D.Ebanks 20+15reb+1ast, P.Jones III 16+8reb+3ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 14+9reb+5ast, M.Alsharif 8+5reb, A.Almuwallad 7+3reb+5ast
Al Khewaildia: C.Berry 19+12reb+1ast, I.Alahmed 7+2reb+1ast, J.Jones 6+4reb+3ast, Z.Tyson 6+3reb+1ast, A.Al-Mahroos 5+4reb+1ast, A.Al-Sheef 3+2reb

Al-Ula - Al Khaleej 85-55

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Al-Ula (9-2) crushed at home 9th ranked Al Khaleej (2-9) 85-55 on Friday. Al-Ula outrebounded Al Khaleej 42-23 including a 35-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) accounted for 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Al-Ula's coach Stratos Koukoulekidis felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) came up with 15 points and Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) added 9 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Al Khaleej in the defeat. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al-Ula. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains third place with 9-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad. Al Khaleej lost their fourth game in a row. Al Khaleej at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the ninth position with nine games lost. Al-Ula will meet at home Ohod (#7) in the next round. Al Khaleej will play against Al Khewaildia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al-Ula: T.Wimbush 22+5reb+3ast, J.Gibson 21+2reb+3ast, M.Alsuwailem 11+14reb+6ast, M.Saleh 9+4reb+1ast, M.Alsaqer 7+3reb+4ast, A.Alalawi 5+1reb+3ast
Al Khaleej: Q.Davis 15+3reb+2ast, I.Entaif 11+3reb+2ast, A.Ashoor 9+5reb+4ast, R.Amardi 9+7reb+3ast, H.Ali 8+4reb+2ast, M.Al-Hezam 3+1ast

Al Salam - Al Ittihad 57-104

SBL top team - Al Ittihad (11-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed sixth ranked Al Salam (4-7) in Al-Awamiyah 104-57. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 26. They outrebounded Al Salam 56-26 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ittihad players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Al Salam's players. It was a great evening for American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Nigerian Suleiman Braimoh (203-1989, college: Rice) helped adding 20 points and 12 rebounds. Five Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) responded with 20 points and 9 rebounds and American guard Ashford Golden (195-1995, college: MACU) scored 16 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 Ittihad have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-0 record. Al Salam at the other side keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Al Ittihad will play against Al Nasr (#4) in Riyadh in the next round. Al Salam will play on the road against Al Safa in Safwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: K.DeShields 25+7reb+5ast, S.Braimoh 20+12reb+2ast, M.AlMarwani 12+8reb, M.Almarwani 12+6reb+2ast, Y.Aljohani 10+4reb+2ast, M.Maker 9+3reb+3ast
Al Salam: M.Samb 20+9reb+1ast, A.Golden 16+1reb+3ast, H.Binmohammed 8+2reb+2ast, R.Almatroud 5+5reb+1ast, A.AlQassab 3, M.Aqbal 2+1reb

Al Fateh - Al Nasr 77-75

The most exciting game of round 11 in the SBL took place in Al Hasa. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Al Nasr (8-3) to fifth ranked Al Fateh (5-6) 77-75 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Nasr. Al Fateh looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Shadell Millinghaus (188-1994, college: Georgetown, KY) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Hesham Alrasheed (182-2001) contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Al Fateh's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) answered with 24 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import Carlton Bragg Jr. (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Al Nasr. Al Fateh maintains fifth place with 5-6 record. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. Al Fateh are looking forward to face league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Nasr will play at home against the league's leader Al Ittihad and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: S.Millinghaus 20+12reb+6ast, H.Alrasheed 17+5reb+8ast, N.Stover 12+4reb, A.Al-Khodeir 8+1reb+1ast, S.Al-Subaiei 6+5reb+1ast, H.Al-Mohammed 6+2reb
Al Nasr: D.McGill 24+6reb+3ast, E.McCree 14+3reb, C.Bragg Jr. 12+9reb+1ast, N.Abo Jallas 9+10reb+2ast, B.Alsulimani 7+1reb, A.Alhawsawi 4+4reb+2ast

Ohod - Al Safa 97-84

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 7th ranked Al Safa (3-8) lost to eighth ranked Ohod (3-8) in Medina 84-97 on Friday. Ohod made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Kenny Hayes (189-1987, college: Miami, OH) who led the winners and scored 29 points and 8 assists. Osama Alzahrani accounted for 27 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winning side. American forward Cedrick Alley Jr (198, college: UTSA) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and Alaa Qashqri added 20 points respectively for Al Safa in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ohod moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Al Safa. Al Safa lost their third game in a row. Ohod will meet higher ranked Al-Ula (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Safa will play against Al Salam (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ohod: K.Hayes 29+4reb+8ast, O.Alzahrani 27+5reb+2ast, A.Mitrovic 19+10reb+2ast, M.Alhawsawi 13+3reb, A.Fallatah 9+3reb+1ast, E.Altasan 0
Al Safa: C.Alley Jr. 20+12reb+3ast, A.Qashqri 20+3reb, R.Alahmed 17+2reb+1ast, S.Hawsawi 12+1reb, L.Robertin 6+8reb, H.Almahdi 5+2reb