Round 11 (Regular Season): Al Rayyan defeat Al-Muharraq in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 11 in the West Asia Super League took place in Al Muharraq. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-ranked Bahrain Al-Muharraq (3-3) to third ranked Qatari Al Rayyan (3-3) 79-78 in the game for the second place. It was a great evening for American swingman Andrew White III (200-1993, college: Syracuse) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) helped adding 17 points and 9 rebounds. American forward Tyler Wilkerson (203-1988, college: Marshall) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds. Al-Muharraq's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Rayyan moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Al-Muharraq.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kuwait City. First ranked Kuwaiti host Kuwait (4-2) defeated 4th placed Saudi Arabian Al Ahli (2-4) 91-83. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Ahli. It was an exceptional evening for Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. Marcus Georges-Hunt accounted for 18 points and 7 rebounds. American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds for Al Ahli in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Kuwaiti champion maintains first place with 4-2 record, which they share with Sagesse. Defending Saudi Arabian champion Al Ahli dropped to the third position with four games lost. They share it with Al Ittihad.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Baghdad. 4th placed Iraqi host Al Naft (0-6) was smashed by leader Iranian Gorgan (6-0) 101-67. The best player for the winners was Norvel Pelle who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Gorgan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mohammed Nahi produced 13 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Undefeated Gorgan have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Defending Iranian champion maintains first place with 6-0 record, which they share with Al-Manama. Defending Iraqi champion Al Naft still closes the standings with six games lost. They share the position with Al Shamal.

In the last game of round 11 Al Ittihad was destroyed by Sagesse on the opponent's court 101-58.

Group Gulf

Al-Muharraq - Al Rayyan 78-79

The most exciting game of round 11 in the West Asia Super League took place in Al Muharraq. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-ranked Bahrain Al-Muharraq (3-3) to third ranked Qatari Al Rayyan (3-3) 79-78 in the game for the second place. It was a great evening for American swingman Andrew White III (200-1993, college: Syracuse) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) helped adding 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Al Rayyan players scored in double figures. American forward Tyler Wilkerson (203-1988, college: Marshall) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import guard Ra'shad James (185-1990, college: Iona) scored 14 points. Al-Muharraq's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Rayyan moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Al-Muharraq.
Top scorers:
Al Rayyan: A.White III 21+13reb+2ast, M.Faye 17+9reb+2ast, M.Abdelkawy 16+5reb+3ast, M.Salem 12+2reb+3ast, M.Haracic 6+3reb+2ast, N.Griffin 3+1reb+2ast
Al-Muharraq: T.Wilkerson 24+13reb+2ast, R.James 14+2reb+3ast, M.Nasser 10+6reb, M.Ebrahim 8+3reb+5ast, B.Malabes 8+3reb+4ast, R.Ledo 6+6reb+3ast

Kuwait - Al Ahli 91-83

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kuwait City. First ranked Kuwaiti host Kuwait (4-2) defeated 4th placed Saudi Arabian Al Ahli (2-4) 91-83. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Ahli. Kuwait players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Al Ahli's players. Al Ahli was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. U.S. Virgin Islands-American forward Marcus Georges-Hunt (196-1994, college: Georgia Tech) accounted for 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. American Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Marzouq Almuwallad (180-1992) added 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Al Ahli in the defeat. Five Kuwait and four Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Kuwaiti champion maintains first place with 4-2 record, which they share with Sagesse. Defending Saudi Arabian champion Al Ahli dropped to the third position with four games lost. They share it with Al Ittihad.
Top scorers:
Kuwait: C.Lalanne 20+16reb+4ast, M.Georges-Hunt 18+7reb+2ast, T.Carr 14+2reb+1ast, H.Hasan 13+3reb+6ast, A.Turki 10+4reb+3ast, J.Omran 10+7reb+2ast
Al Ahli: M.Almuwallad 19+6reb+4ast, D.Liggins 18+8reb, A.Shubayli 17+8reb+1ast, H.Thompson 16+12reb+3ast, B.Ayman 5+1reb+1ast, M.Abdulrahman 3+1reb

Group West Asia

Al Naft - Gorgan 67-101

The game between Top Four teams took place in Baghdad. 4th placed Iraqi host Al Naft (0-6) was smashed by leader Iranian Gorgan (6-0) 101-67. Gorgan outrebounded Al Naft 45-34 including 34 on the defensive glass. Gorgan looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Al Naft's players. The best player for the winners was Lebanese-American forward Norvel Pelle (208-1993, college: Iona, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Amirhossein Azari (193-1998) chipped in 14 points and 9 rebounds. Gorgan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Mohammed Nahi (180-2000) produced 13 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Shane Gibson (188-1990, college: Sacred Heart) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Five Gorgan and four Al Naft players scored in double figures. Gorgan have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Defending Iranian champion maintains first place with 6-0 record, which they share with Al-Manama. Defending Iraqi champion Al Naft still closes the standings with six games lost. They share the position with Al Shamal.
Top scorers:
Gorgan: V.Sina 19+4ast, M.Sheikhi 17+3reb+4ast, N.Rezaeifar 16+4reb+4ast, A.Azari 14+9reb+2ast, N.Pelle 14+12reb+2ast, A.Khashayar 8+3reb+2ast
Al Naft: S.Gibson 17+2reb+4ast, A.Wiggins 13+6reb+1ast, N.Mohammed 13+8reb+2ast, A.Hameed 10+6reb, A.Al-Draisawi 9+5reb, H.Aldiwani 5+7reb

Sagesse - Al Ittihad 101-58

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 3rd placed Syrian Al Ittihad's (2-4) road loss to second ranked Lebanese Sagesse (4-2) 58-101 on Wednesday. Sagesse made 22-of-25 free shots (88.0 percent) during the game. Sagesse outrebounded Al Ittihad 48-37 including 33 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Lebanese-American guard Omar Jamaleddine (193-2000, college: SLC) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) chipped in 26 points. German-Syrian power forward Mohamad Atli (203-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and Jamil Saddir (200-1989) added 6 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Al Ittihad's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Sagesse keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Kuwait. Al Ittihad at the other side keeps the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: J.Gibson 26+2reb+2ast, O.Jamaleddine 22+10reb+2ast, R.Slimane 11+7reb+1ast, A.Abdel Massih 9+2reb+1ast, A.Deng 8+5reb, M.Khoueiry 7+7reb+1ast
Al Ittihad: A.Mohamad 14+11reb+3ast, N.Issa 10+3reb+1ast, A.Wesam 9, A.Bakar 8+5reb+2ast, A.Michelsson 8+1reb+5ast, J.Saddir 6+9reb+4ast