Round 4 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi defeat Al Wahda

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Syrian Al Wahda (1-1) in Damascus on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by Lebanese Al Riyadi (1-0) 96-67. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Wahda's 38. They outrebounded Al Wahda 40-27 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Wahda's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Wael Arakji (194-1994) contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Al Riyadi's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jomaru Brown (188, college: Coastal) replied with 23 points for Al Wahda. Defending Lebanese champion keeps a position of league leader. Defending Syrian champion Al Wahda dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game for Bahrain Al-Manama (2-0) which hosted in Manama 3rd ranked Qatari Al Shamal (0-2). Top-ranked Al-Manama had an easy win 108-71. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Travin Thibodeaux (203-1996, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Tony Farmer who added 17 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Al-Manama's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American center Tyler Harris (208-1993, college: Auburn, agency: AG Sports Solutions) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds. Defending Bahrain champion maintains first position with 2-0 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Shamal at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game for UAE Shabab Al Ahli (2-0) which played road game in Kuwait City against 3rd ranked Kuwaiti Kazma (0-2). Top-ranked Shabab Al Ahli managed to get a 5-point victory 85-80. The winners were led by Chavaughn Lewis who scored that evening 22 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Even 27 points and 5 rebounds by Travis Leslie did not help to save the game for Kazma. Kazma's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending UAE champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Kazma still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Group Gulf

Al-Manama - Al Shamal 108-71

An interesting game for Bahrain Al-Manama (2-0) which hosted in Manama 3rd ranked Qatari Al Shamal (0-2). Top-ranked Al-Manama had an easy win 108-71. Al-Manama dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Al Shamal's 36. Al-Manama players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Al Shamal's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Travin Thibodeaux (203-1996, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) who added 17 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Five Al-Manama players scored in double figures. Al-Manama's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American center Tyler Harris (208-1993, college: Auburn, agency: AG Sports Solutions) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Fadi Abilmona (178-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Defending Bahrain champion maintains first position with 2-0 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Shamal at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Shamal: T.Harris 20+14reb, U.Iroegbu 18+3reb+3ast, A.Fadi 12+11reb+4ast, M.Talla 7+4reb+3ast, M.Hasan-Mohamed 6+3reb+3ast, A.Jassim 5
Al-Manama: A.Haji 24+1reb+3ast, T.Thibodeaux 20+9reb+5ast, R.Mustafa 19+2reb+4ast, T.Farmer 17+12reb+3ast, S.Pointer 11+10reb+8ast, R.Ali 8+3reb+4ast

Kazma - Shabab Al Ahli 80-85

An interesting game for UAE Shabab Al Ahli (2-0) which played road game in Kuwait City against 3rd ranked Kuwaiti Kazma (0-2). Top-ranked Shabab Al Ahli managed to get a 5-point victory 85-80. Shabab Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by American swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) who scored that evening 22 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists and the other American import Nick Minnerath (207-1988, college: Detroit) supported him with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Four Shabab Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Even 27 points and 5 rebounds by American swingman Travis Leslie (193-1990, college: Georgia) did not help to save the game for Kazma. Guard Yousiff Borhamah (190-1994) added 14 points for lost side. Kazma's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending UAE champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Kazma still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kazma: T.Leslie 27+5reb, Y.Borhamah 14+3reb+3ast, A.Albaloushi 10+4reb+4ast, A.Abdulaziz 9+6reb+1ast, R.Abdulaziz 7+2reb+3ast, C.Chapman 7+3reb
Shabab Al Ahli: C.Lewis 22+8reb+9ast, N.Minnerath 19+8reb+1ast, Q.Alshabebi 12+9reb+4ast, B.Assane 12+5reb, A.Hamid 9+5reb+4ast, T.Alnuaimi 8+4reb+4ast

Group West Asia

Al Wahda - Al Riyadi 67-96

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Syrian Al Wahda (1-1) in Damascus on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by Lebanese Al Riyadi (1-0) 96-67. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Wahda's 38. They outrebounded Al Wahda 40-27 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Al Wahda's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Wael Arakji (194-1994) contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Al Riyadi's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jomaru Brown (188, college: Coastal) replied with 23 points and his fellow American import forward Isaac Banks (201-1994, college: ETSU) added 18 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Al Wahda. Defending Lebanese champion keeps a position of league leader. Defending Syrian champion Al Wahda dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Wahda: J.Brown 23+3reb+2ast, I.Banks 18+9reb, A.Alhamwi 12+9reb, S.Al Osh 5+2reb+3ast, M.Arbasha 5+4ast, T.Aljabi 4+3reb
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 18+4reb+5ast, E.Kikanovic 18+10reb+1ast, S.Sakakini 16+4reb+2ast, B.Tabbara 10+3reb, M.Harris 9+9reb+3ast, H.Gyokchyan 7+2reb+2ast