SBL Round 13 (Regular Season): Leader Al Ittihad gets another victory

The round 13 was rather boring as all games ended with very predictable results. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Undefeated leader Al Ittihad delivered the thirteenth consecutive win on Friday night. This time they crushed bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (0-13) 102-53 in Jeddah. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 28. Al Ittihad forced 19 Al Khewaildia turnovers and outrebounded them 38-21 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Al Khewaildia's players. American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Kenyan-Australian power forward Makur Maker (212-2000, college: Howard) chipped in 20 points and 12 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. American forward Chase Berry (198-1998, college: Boise St.) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Undefeated Al Ittihad (13-0) have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 13 victories in a row. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia still closes the standings with 13 games lost. Al Ittihad are looking forward to face Al Fateh (#5) in Al Hasa in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play on the road against Ohod (#7) in Medina and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked Al Fateh (6-7) played at the court of 8th ranked Al Khaleej (3-10). Al Fateh managed to secure a 5-point victory 82-77. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Junior MBida contributed with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Al Fateh's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field) for Al Khaleej. Al Fateh maintains fifth place with 6-7 record. Newly promoted Al Khaleej dropped to the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Safa. Al Fateh will play against league's leader Al Ittihad in Jeddah in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khaleej will play on the road against Al Salam (#6) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 13 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Salam was crushed by Al Ahli in Jeddah 102-64. Al Nasr smashed Ohod at home 108-70. Al-Ula destroyed Al Safa on the opponent's court 102-79.



Al Ahli - Al Salam 102-64

There was no surprise in Jeddah where 6th ranked Al Salam (5-8) was crushed by second ranked Al Ahli (12-1) 102-64. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Al Salam's 34 and made 24-of-27 charity shots (88.9 percent) during the game, while Al Salam only scored six points from the stripe. They outrebounded Al Salam 39-25 including a 32-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ahli players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) who helped to win the game recording 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his twelve free throws !!!). His fellow American import forward Perry Jones III (211-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Five Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Coach Ali Alsanhani's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Ashford Golden (195-1995, college: MACU) added 22 points in the effort for Al Salam. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Ahli. They maintain second place with 12-1 record behind leader Al Ittihad. Al Salam at the other side keeps the sixth position with eight games lost. Al Ahli will play against Al-Ula (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Salam will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: A.Golden 22+4reb+1ast, M.Samb 17+10reb+3ast, R.Almatroud 14+2reb, H.Binmohammed 5+2reb+5ast, H.Aldarwish 2+1reb, M.Iqbal 2+1reb
Al Ahli: D.Ebanks 21+6reb+5ast, D.Hall 17+4reb, K.Abdel-Gabar 15+7reb+4ast, A.Almuwallad 13+2reb+1ast, P.Jones III 13+11reb+4ast, M.Almuwallad 12+1reb+3ast

Al Nasr - Ohod 108-70

No shocking result in a game in Riyadh where fourth ranked Al Nasr (9-4) smashed 7th ranked Ohod (3-10) 108-70. Al Nasr dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 38. Worth to mention a great performance of American Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 45 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international Ayoub Alhawsawi (188-1989) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Coach Abdulraheem Lal's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Abdulrahman Fallatah answered with 21 points and 6 rebounds and center Yazan Al-Hawosawi (-1990) added 17 points in the effort for Ohod. Four Ohod players scored in double figures. Al Nasr maintains fourth place with 9-4 record. Ohod at the other side keeps the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Al Khaleej and Al Safa. Al Nasr will play against Al Safa (#9) in Safwa in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Ohod will play against Al Khewaildia and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Ohod: A.Fallatah 21+6reb+2ast, Y.Al-Hawosawi 17+4reb, E.Altasan 13+8reb, O.Alzahrani 10+3reb+1ast, Y.Alharbi 6+2reb, M.Alhawsawi 2+4reb+2ast
Al Nasr: E.McCree 45+13reb+4ast, A.Alhawsawi 20+8reb, B.Alsulimani 14+2ast, N.Abo Jallas 8+4reb+2ast, R.Huraysi 6+2reb, C.Bragg Jr. 6+8reb+1ast

Al Safa - Al-Ula 79-102

Very expected game in Safwa where 9th ranked Al Safa (3-10) was rolled over by third ranked Al-Ula (11-2) 102-79. Al-Ula dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Safa's 34. They outrebounded Al Safa 48-29 including a 35-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Ula players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who helped to win the game recording 35 points (!!!), 6 assists and 4 steals. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Coach Stratos Koukoulekidis's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. South Sudanese guard Dhieu Abwok (196-2001, college: UTSA) answered with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Rayan Alahmed added 11 points and 5 assists in the effort for Al Safa. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Al-Ula. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains third place with 11-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad. Al Safa lost their fifth game in a row. Al Safa at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Khaleej. Al-Ula will play against league's second-placed Al Ahli in Jeddah in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Safa will play at home against Al Nasr (#4) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Abwok 30+9reb+4ast, A.Qashqri 11+1ast, R.Alahmed 11+4reb+5ast, A.Alahmed 10+3reb+4ast, L.Robertin 9+5reb+1ast, S.Hawsawi 5+1reb
Al-Ula: J.Gibson 35+3reb+6ast, M.Alsuwailem 19+15reb+4ast, J.Jones 14+6reb+1ast, A.Almukhtar 10+3reb+3ast, A.Alalawi 8+2reb+5ast, T.Wimbush 7+4reb+2ast

Al Ittihad - Al Khewaildia 102-53

Undefeated leader Al Ittihad delivered the thirteenth consecutive win on Friday night. This time they crushed bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (0-13) 102-53 in Jeddah. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 28. Al Ittihad forced 19 Al Khewaildia turnovers and outrebounded them 38-21 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Al Khewaildia's players. American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Kenyan-Australian power forward Makur Maker (212-2000, college: Howard) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 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. American forward Chase Berry (198-1998, college: Boise St.) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee, agency: Skythletics? ) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Al Ittihad (13-0) have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 13 victories in a row. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia still closes the standings with 13 games lost. Al Ittihad are looking forward to face Al Fateh (#5) in Al Hasa in the next round. Al Khewaildia will play on the road against Ohod (#7) in Medina and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: C.Berry 16+10reb+2ast, J.Jones 15+3reb+3ast, A.Al-Mahroos 11+4reb+1ast, A.Al-Sheef 7, Z.Tyson 4+4reb+3ast, K.Al-Amrad 0
Al Ittihad: K.DeShields 25+1reb+11ast, M.Maker 20+12reb, Y.Aljohani 11+4reb, F.Belal 9+1reb+5ast, N.Alabsi 8, M.Almarwani 7+3reb+6ast

Al Khaleej - Al Fateh 77-82

The game in was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked Al Fateh (6-7) played at the court of 8th ranked Al Khaleej (3-10). Al Fateh managed to secure a 5-point victory 82-77. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Cameroonian center Junior MBida (206-1990) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Stover is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Al Fateh's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field) and center Hassan Ali added 10 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks in the effort for Al Khaleej. Four Al Khaleej players scored in double figures. Al Fateh maintains fifth place with 6-7 record. Newly promoted Al Khaleej dropped to the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with Ohod and Al Safa. Al Fateh will play against league's leader Al Ittihad in Jeddah in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khaleej will play on the road against Al Salam (#6) in Al-Awamiyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: R.Amardi 31+14reb+2ast, I.Entaif 12+3reb+1ast, Q.Davis 11+6reb+2ast, H.Ali 10+13reb+2ast, A.Ashoor 5+3reb+9ast, M.Al-Hezam 5
Al Fateh: N.Stover 23+10reb+5ast, J.MBida 19+13reb+1ast, J.Nicholas 12+6reb+3ast, A.Al-Khodeir 9+2reb+1ast, S.Al-Subaiei 9+8reb+1ast, H.Alrasheed 4+1reb+3ast