SBL Round 15 (Regular Season): Al Ittihad lose their first game against Al-Ula

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in SBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Al Ittihad (14-1) on the court of second ranked Al-Ula on Monday night. Visitors were edged by Al-Ula 87-84. It ended at the same time the 14-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Ittihad helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 6 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 19 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Al-Ula (13-2) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains second place behind leader Al Ittihad, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Ittihad at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Al-Ula is looking forward to face Al Salam (#6) in Al-Awamiyah in the next round. Al Ittihad will play at home against Ohod (#8) and is hoping to win this game.
The game in was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Al Nasr (11-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Al Khaleej (4-11). Al Nasr defeated Al Khaleej 88-73. It was an exceptional evening for American Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 9 rebounds. Donte McGill accounted for 26 points and 6 rebounds. Al Nasr's coach Abdulraheem Lal allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) came up with 23 points and 4 assists for Al Khaleej in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Nasr. They maintain fourth place with 11-4 record. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the seventh position with 11 games lost. Al Nasr will play against higher ranked Al Ahli (#3) 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 Safa (#9) in Safwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Medina supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Al Ahli (13-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Ohod (3-12). Al Ahli smashed Ohod 127-54 on Monday. The best player for the winners was Devin Ebanks who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Mohammed Alhawsawi who recorded 15 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 Ahli moved-up to second place, which they share with Al-Ula. Ohod lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Al Safa. Al Ahli will meet Al Nasr (#4) in the next round. Ohod will play against the league's leader Al Ittihad (#1) in Jeddah and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 15 Al Safa lost to Al Fateh on the opponent's court 75-89. Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia unfortunately lost to Al Salam in a home game 78-86.



Al Khaleej - Al Nasr 73-88

The game in was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Al Nasr (11-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Al Khaleej (4-11). Al Nasr defeated Al Khaleej 88-73. It was an exceptional evening for American Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) accounted for 26 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Al Nasr's coach Abdulraheem Lal allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) came up with 23 points and 4 assists and Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) added 15 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Al Khaleej in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Nasr. They maintain fourth place with 11-4 record. Newly promoted Al Khaleej keeps the seventh position with 11 games lost. Al Nasr will play against higher ranked Al Ahli (#3) 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 Safa (#9) in Safwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: Q.Davis 23+2reb+4ast, R.Amardi 15+10reb+2ast, H.Ali 12+9reb+2ast, A.Ashoor 11+3reb+4ast, I.Entaif 7+4reb+1ast, M.Al-Hezam 3+2reb
Al Nasr: D.McGill 26+6reb+3ast, E.McCree 25+9reb+3ast, N.Abo Jallas 16+12reb+4ast, R.Huraysi 14+1ast, A.Alhawsawi 3+5reb+3ast, F.Fakihi 2+3reb+2ast

Al Fateh - Al Safa 89-75

Very expected game in Al Hasa where 9th ranked Al Safa (3-12) was defeated by fifth ranked Al Fateh (7-8) 89-75 on Monday. Al Fateh outrebounded Al Safa 48-34 including a 34-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds. American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) chipped in 25 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Stover is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Five Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Al Fateh's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Cedrick Alley Jr (198, college: UTSA) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and South Sudanese guard Dhieu Abwok (196-2001, college: UTSA) added 20 points respectively. Al Fateh maintains fifth place with 7-8 record. Al Safa lost their seventh game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Ohod. Al Fateh will meet bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Safa will play against Al Khaleej and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Safa: D.Abwok 20+4reb, C.Alley Jr. 19+13reb+3ast, H.Almahdi 18+3reb, L.Robertin 8+5reb+1ast, R.Alahmed 4+1reb, A.Qashqri 4+1reb+1ast
Al Fateh: N.Stover 25+14reb+3ast, J.Nicholas 25+9reb+7ast, S.Al-Subaiei 10+5reb, T.Almuhanna 10+1reb+1ast, A.Al-Khodeir 10+4reb+3ast, J.MBida 6+5reb+1ast

Ohod - Al Ahli 54-127

The game in Medina supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Al Ahli (13-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Ohod (3-12). Al Ahli smashed Ohod 127-54 on Monday. Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 20. They outrebounded Ohod 48-22 including a 36-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Ohod's players. The best player for the winners was American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists. His fellow American import guard Darius Hall (188, college: Bryant & Str OH) chipped in 35 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (on 16-of-19 shooting from the field). Four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Mohammed Alhawsawi who recorded 15 points and Majed Alshanqiti added 9 points 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 Ahli moved-up to second place, which they share with Al-Ula. Ohod lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Al Safa. Al Ahli will meet Al Nasr (#4) in the next round. Ohod will play against the league's leader Al Ittihad (#1) in Jeddah and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ohod: M.Alhawsawi 15+4reb+3ast, M.Alshanqiti 9+3reb+1ast, Y.Al-Hawosawi 7+2reb, O.Alzahrani 6+2reb+1ast, A.Obaidi 6+2reb, A.Fallatah 4+3reb
Al Ahli: D.Hall 35+9reb+3ast, D.Ebanks 29+16reb+8ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 15+4reb+5ast, A.Shubayli 13+4reb+2ast, M.Almuwallad 12+2reb+1ast, A.Almuwallad 8+5reb+3ast

Al Khewaildia - Al Salam 78-86

Rather predictable result when sixth ranked Al Salam (6-9) defeated on the road bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia (1-14) 86-78 on Monday. Al Salam dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Khewaildia's 36. They outrebounded Al Khewaildia 40-27 including 29 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Senegalese-Spanish power forward Mamadou Samb (210-1989) who had a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. American swingman Jacobi Boykins (198-1995, college: La Tech) chipped in a double-double by scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Manaf Alsalem who recorded 27 points and 5 assists and American forward Chase Berry (198-1998, college: Boise St.) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively. Four Al Khewaildia players scored in double figures. Al Salam maintains sixth place with 6-9 record. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. Al Salam will meet league's second-placed Al-Ula in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Khewaildia will play against Al Fateh (#5) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: M.Alsalem 27+2reb+5ast, C.Berry 19+3reb+4ast, J.Jones 14+5reb+2ast, A.Al-Mahroos 10+5reb, Z.Tyson 6+6reb+1ast, K.Al-Ahmed 2+3reb+2ast
Al Salam: M.Samb 36+11reb+2ast, J.Boykins 31+10reb+5ast, R.Almatroud 6+7reb, H.Aldarwish 5+4reb+1ast, A.AlQassab 5+6reb+4ast, M.Iqbal 2+1ast

Al-Ula - Al Ittihad 87-84

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Al Ittihad (14-1) on the court of second ranked Al-Ula on Monday night. Visitors were edged by Al-Ula 87-84. It ended at the same time the 14-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Ittihad helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 6 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 19 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists and Kenyan-Australian power forward Makur Maker (212-2000, college: Howard) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Ittihad's coach Slobodan Subotic tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Al-Ula (13-2) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains second place behind leader Al Ittihad, which they share with Al Ahli. Al Ittihad at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Al-Ula is looking forward to face Al Salam (#6) in Al-Awamiyah in the next round. Al Ittihad will play at home against Ohod (#8) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: K.DeShields 23+5reb+9ast, M.Maker 21+12reb+1ast, M.AlMarwani 15+1reb+1ast, M.Almarwani 10+6reb, F.Belal 9+4reb+5ast, O.Albargawi 3
Al-Ula: J.Gibson 28+6reb+3ast, T.Wimbush 19+6reb+2ast, A.Alalawi 12+4reb+1ast, M.Alsuwailem 12+13reb, A.Almukhtar 8+1reb+1ast, M.Alsaqer 8+6reb+2ast