SBL Round 14 (Regular Season): Al Khaleej beat Al Salam by three after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 14 in the SBL took place in Al-Awamiyah. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Al Salam (5-9) to eighth ranked Al Khaleej (4-10) 71-68 on Monday evening. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) contributed with 25 points for the winners. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) replied with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 18 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for Al Salam. Al Khaleej moved-up to seventh place. Al Salam at the other side keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. Al Khaleej are looking forward to face higher ranked Al Nasr (#4) in Riyadh in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Salam will play against Al Khewaildia and is hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Al-Ula (12-2) which played road game in Jeddah against second-ranked Al Ahli (12-2). Third ranked Al-Ula had an easy win 98-80. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Al Ahli. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Thomas Wimbush chipped in 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The former international Ali Shubayli (190-1996) responded with 24 points and 6 rebounds. Al-Ula have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Al Ahli. Al-Ula will play against league's leader Al Ittihad in Jeddah in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Ahli will play on the road against Ohod in Medina and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Al Khewaildia's fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after 13 consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Medina, where they outplayed Ohod (3-11) 111-55 on Monday. Manaf Alsalem notched 25 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort. Al Khewaildia's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 18 points and 6 rebounds by Mohammed Alhawsawi did not help to save the game for Ohod. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia maintains tenth position with 1-13 record. It was Ohod's third loss in a row. They dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Al Safa. Al Khewaildia will meet at home higher ranked Al Salam (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ohod will play against Al Ahli and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 14 Al Fateh lost to undefeated Al Ittihad on the road 71-93. Al Safa was destroyed by Al Nasr on its own court 78-110.



Al Ittihad - Al Fateh 93-71

No shocking result in a game when top-ranked Al Ittihad (14-0) crushed 5th ranked Al Fateh (6-8) in Jeddah 93-71 on Friday. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Fateh's players. American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points, 9 rebounds, 18 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and Kenyan-Australian power forward Makur Maker (212-2000, college: Howard) supported him with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 16 rebounds by American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) did not help to save the game for Al Fateh. American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) added 19 points for the guests. 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 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-0 record. Loser Al Fateh keeps the fifth place with eight games lost. Al Ittihad will meet league's second-placed Al-Ula in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Fateh will play against Al Safa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Fateh: N.Stover 24+16reb+2ast, J.Nicholas 19+1reb+2ast, H.Al-Mohammed 10+3reb+1ast, J.MBida 8+7reb, A.Al-Khodeir 8+1reb+1ast, H.Alrasheed 2
Al Ittihad: K.DeShields 24+9reb+18ast, M.Maker 22+10reb+2ast, S.Braimoh 11+2reb+2ast, M.AlMarwani 9+10reb+1ast, M.Almarwani 9+4reb+1ast, F.Belal 9+1reb+2ast

Al Safa - Al Nasr 78-110

Very expected game when 9th ranked Al Safa (3-11) was smashed by fourth ranked Al Nasr (10-4) in Safwa 110-78 on Monday. Al Nasr made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. Al Nasr outrebounded Al Safa 47-27 including a 36-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) notched 40 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) to lead the effort and the other American import Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) supported him with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Worth to mention McGill played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Even 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) by South Sudanese guard Dhieu Abwok (196-2001, college: UTSA) did not help to save the game for Al Safa. Rayan Alahmed added 23 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Al Nasr maintains fourth position with 10-4 record. Al Safa lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Ohod. Al Nasr will meet Al Khaleej (#7) in the next round. Al Safa will play against Al Fateh in Al Hasa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: R.Alahmed 23+5reb, D.Abwok 22+7reb+7ast, A.Alahmed 13+1reb+3ast, C.Alley Jr. 8+5reb+2ast, S.Hawsawi 5+1reb, L.Robertin 5+7reb+2ast
Al Nasr: D.McGill 40+6reb+3ast, E.McCree 32+9reb+3ast, N.Abo Jallas 21+17reb+3ast, A.Alhawsawi 6+7reb, B.Alsulimani 5+1reb+1ast, C.Bragg Jr. 4+5reb+1ast

Ohod - Al Khewaildia 55-111

Al Khewaildia's fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after 13 consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Medina, where they outplayed Ohod (3-11) 111-55 on Monday. Al Khewaildia dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 30. They outrebounded Ohod 47-18 including a 36-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Khewaildia shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 57.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Manaf Alsalem notched 25 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee, agency: Skythletics? ) supported him with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Jones attended previously one of camps at Eurobasket Summer League on his way to pro basketball. Four Al Khewaildia players scored in double figures. Al Khewaildia's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 18 points and 6 rebounds by Mohammed Alhawsawi did not help to save the game for Ohod. Mohammad Altasan (163-2001) added 16 points and 4 assists for the hosts. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia maintains tenth position with 1-13 record. It was Ohod's third loss in a row. They dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Al Safa. Al Khewaildia will meet at home higher ranked Al Salam (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ohod will play against Al Ahli and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ohod: M.Alhawsawi 18+6reb, M.Altasan 16+3reb+4ast, A.Fallatah 8+2reb+2ast, M.Alshanqiti 4+2reb, Y.Alharbi 4+1reb+3ast, Y.Al-Hawosawi 2+1reb+3ast
Al Khewaildia: J.Jones 26+7reb+2ast, M.Alsalem 25+8reb+3ast, Z.Tyson 19+11reb+4ast, C.Berry 10+7reb+5ast, K.Al-Ahmed 9+2reb+2ast, A.Al-Mahroos 7+7reb+4ast

Al Ahli - Al-Ula 80-98

An interesting game for Al-Ula (12-2) which played road game in Jeddah against second-ranked Al Ahli (12-2). Third ranked Al-Ula had an easy win 98-80. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Al Ahli. Al-Ula dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ahli's 24. They outrebounded Al Ahli 45-34 including 35 on the defensive glass. Al-Ula players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. The former international center Mohammed Alsuwailem (211-1998) had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The former international Ali Shubayli (190-1996) responded with 24 points and 6 rebounds and American forward Perry Jones III (211-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) scored 20 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al-Ula have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Al Ahli. Al-Ula will play against league's leader Al Ittihad in Jeddah in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al Ahli will play on the road against Ohod in Medina and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: A.Shubayli 24+6reb+2ast, P.Jones III 20+7reb+2ast, D.Ebanks 16+8reb+5ast, M.Almuwallad 10+4reb+11ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 5+3reb+1ast, A.Almuwallad 3+5reb+1ast
Al-Ula: M.Alsuwailem 25+21reb+5ast, T.Wimbush 24+7reb+5ast, J.Gibson 19+3reb+6ast, A.Alalawi 13+3reb+2ast, M.Alsaqer 7+3ast, A.Almukhtar 5+2reb+1ast

Al Salam - Al Khaleej 68-71

The most exciting game of round 14 in the SBL took place in Al-Awamiyah. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Al Salam (5-9) to eighth ranked Al Khaleej (4-10) 71-68 on Monday evening. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) contributed with 25 points for the winners. Davis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) replied with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 18 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and American guard Ashford Golden (195-1995, college: MACU) added 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Al Salam. Al Khaleej moved-up to seventh place. Al Salam at the other side keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. Al Khaleej are looking forward to face higher ranked Al Nasr (#4) in Riyadh in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Salam will play against Al Khewaildia and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Al Salam: A.Golden 31+6reb+4ast, M.Samb 28+18reb+1ast, R.Almatroud 5+5reb+2ast, F.Ekhwan 2+1reb, H.Binmohammed 2+5reb+3ast, T.Aldhaif 0
Al Khaleej: Q.Davis 25+1reb+3ast, R.Amardi 16+15reb+1ast, H.Ali 8+6reb, I.Entaif 6+3reb+1ast, M.Al-Hezam 6+4reb, A.Al-Darweesh 5+4reb+1ast