SBL Round 16 (Regular Season): Al Ahli top Al Nasr in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Riyadh. Third ranked Al Ahli faced 4th ranked Al Nasr. Guests from Jeddah (14-2) defeated host Al Nasr (11-5) 91-87. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Nasr. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Nasr helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) chipped in 19 points. American Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) produced 19 points and 8 assists for lost side. Al Nasr's coach Abdulraheem Lal tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Ahli moved-up to second place, which they share with Al-Ula. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ittihad.
Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia managed to get a second victory. This time newly promoted Al Khewaildia outleveled fifth-ranked Al Fateh 101-81. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 20-point difference proves that Al Khewaildia was well-prepared to that game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 rebounds. Manaf Alsalem contributed with 21 points and 8 assists for the winners. American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) replied with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for Al Fateh. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia maintains tenth position with 2-14 record. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Al Khewaildia will play against higher ranked Al Safa (#9) in Safwa in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Fateh will play at home against Al Salam (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Al Ittihad delivered the fifteenth victory on Friday night. This time they crushed 8th ranked Ohod (3-13) 115-46 in Jeddah. Worth to mention a quality performance of Suleiman Braimoh who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). At the losing side Mohammed Alhawsawi responded with 7 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. Al Ittihad maintains first position with 15-1 record. Ohod lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Al Safa. Al Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Al Ahli.

In the last two games of round 16 Al Khaleej crushed Al Safa in a road game 94-55. Al-Ula smashed Al Salam at home 128-64.



Al Nasr - Al Ahli 87-91

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Riyadh. Third ranked Al Ahli faced 4th ranked Al Nasr. Guests from Jeddah (14-2) defeated host Al Nasr (11-5) 91-87. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Nasr. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Nasr helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) chipped in 19 points. American Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) produced 19 points and 8 assists and his fellow American import Carlton Bragg Jr (208-1995, college: N.Mexico) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Al Ahli and four Al Nasr players scored in double figures. Al Nasr's coach Abdulraheem Lal tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Ahli moved-up to second place, which they share with Al-Ula. Al Nasr at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Jeddah Al Ittihad.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: D.Ebanks 27+10reb+3ast, M.Almuwallad 19+4reb+3ast, K.Abdel-Gabar 16+4reb+3ast, A.Shubayli 12+4reb+1ast, D.Hall 12+11reb+3ast, A.Almuwallad 5
Al Nasr: E.McCree 19+4reb+8ast, D.McGill 15+2reb+1ast, C.Bragg Jr. 12+7reb+2ast, B.Alsulimani 10+2reb+1ast, F.Aldawsari 10+1reb+1ast, Z.Hawsawi 6+1reb

Al Safa - Al Khaleej 55-94

There was no surprise in Safwa where 9th ranked Al Safa (3-13) was crushed by seventh ranked Al Khaleej (5-11) 94-55 on Friday. Al Khaleej outrebounded Al Safa 61-36 including a 49-30 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Khaleej looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Al Safa's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 23 rebounds and 5 assists and American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) who added 20 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. Davis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Al Khaleej players scored in double figures. At the losing side South Sudanese guard Dhieu Abwok (196-2001, college: UTSA) responded with 34 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and British center Legend Robertin (216-1994, college: Nicholls) scored 4 points and 10 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. Newly promoted Al Khaleej maintains seventh position with 5-11 record. Al Safa lost eighth consecutive game. Al Safa at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eighth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Ohod. Al Khaleej will meet at home Ohod (#8) in the next round. Al Safa will play against Al Khewaildia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khaleej: A.Ashoor 31+2reb+4ast, Q.Davis 20+13reb+7ast, R.Amardi 19+23reb+5ast, H.Ali 10+7reb+1ast, I.Entaif 7+4reb+3ast, M.Al-Hezam 5+7reb+3ast
Al Safa: D.Abwok 34+7reb+2ast, A.Qashqri 7+1reb+2ast, H.Alshobbar 6+2reb, C.Alley Jr. 4+7reb+1ast, L.Robertin 4+10reb, H.Almahdi 0+1ast

Al Ittihad - Ohod 115-46

Leader Al Ittihad delivered the fifteenth victory on Friday night. This time they crushed 8th ranked Ohod (3-13) 115-46 in Jeddah. Al Ittihad dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Ohod's 32. Al Ittihad forced 31 Ohod turnovers and outrebounded them 42-24 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ittihad looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Ohod's players. Worth to mention a quality performance of Nigerian Suleiman Braimoh (203-1989, college: Rice) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) who added 15 points and 7 assists during the contest. Five Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. At the losing side Mohammed Alhawsawi responded with 7 points and 9 rebounds and Abdulrahman Fallatah scored 9 points and 8 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. Al Ittihad maintains first position with 15-1 record. Ohod lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Al Safa. Al Ittihad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Jeddah to the arena Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: S.Braimoh 18+12reb+2ast, K.DeShields 15+3reb+7ast, N.Alabsi 14+1reb+5ast, A.Fallatah 12+6reb+5ast, O.Albargawi 11+3reb, M.Almarwani 11+5reb+4ast
Ohod: M.Altasan 13+2reb+1ast, A.Fallatah 9+8reb+1ast, A.Obaidi 7+1reb+1ast, M.Alhawsawi 7+9reb+3ast, Y.Alharbi 4, O.Alzahrani 3+2reb+3ast

Al-Ula - Al Salam 128-64

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Al-Ula (14-2) smashed at home 6th ranked Al Salam (6-10) 128-64 on Friday. Al-Ula outrebounded Al Salam 47-26 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 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 36 points (!!!) and the other American import forward Jalen Jones (202-1993, college: Texas A&M, agency: Haylett Sports) who added 20 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Five Al-Ula players scored in double figures. At the losing side American swingman Jacobi Boykins (198-1995, college: La Tech) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds and Reda Almatroud (187-2007) scored 8 points. 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. Al-Ula have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Newly promoted Al-Ula maintains second position with 14-2 record behind leader Al Ittihad, which they share with Al Ahli. Loser Al Salam keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. Al-Ula will meet Al Nasr (#4) in the next round. Al Salam will play against Al Fateh in Al Hasa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al-Ula: J.Gibson 36+4reb+2ast, J.Jones 20+12reb+2ast, M.Saleh 19+2reb, T.Wimbush 12+6reb+3ast, A.Alalawi 12+2reb+1ast, H.Hussain 10+10reb+1ast
Al Salam: J.Boykins 33+12reb, H.Aldarwish 8+2ast, R.Almatroud 8+2reb+1ast, A.Alzahir 6+1reb+1ast, M.Iqbal 4+1reb+1ast, M.Alkhamis 3+1reb

Al Khewaildia - Al Fateh 101-81

Bottom-ranked Al Khewaildia managed to get a second victory. This time newly promoted Al Khewaildia outleveled fifth-ranked Al Fateh 101-81. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 20-point difference proves that Al Khewaildia was well-prepared to that game. They shot the lights out from three nailing 18 long-distance shots on high 52.9 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jermale Jones (185-1986, college: Tuskegee) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 rebounds. Manaf Alsalem contributed with 21 points and 8 assists for the winners. Jones is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) replied with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Jamaican guard Josh Nicholas (190-1998, college: ULM) added 16 points in the effort for Al Fateh. Five Al Khewaildia and four Al Fateh players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Al Khewaildia maintains tenth position with 2-14 record. Al Fateh at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Al Khewaildia will play against higher ranked Al Safa (#9) in Safwa in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Fateh will play at home against Al Salam (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khewaildia: J.Jones 26+5reb+3ast, M.Alsalem 21+3reb+8ast, C.Berry 17+11reb+4ast, A.Al-Sheef 12+5reb+2ast, Z.Tyson 12+8reb+2ast, I.Alahmed 6+2reb
Al Fateh: N.Stover 22+9reb+5ast, J.Nicholas 16+4reb+1ast, A.Al-Khodeir 12+2reb+2ast, H.Al-Mohammed 10+4reb, H.Alrasheed 6+1ast, T.Almuhanna 6+3reb+1ast