Round 1 of Second Stage

The Second Stage in West Asia Super League just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Lebanese Al Riyadi smashed Kazakhstan Astana in Beirut 93-58. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Astana's 32 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Al Riyadi forced 19 Astana turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 7 assists. Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) contributed with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Russian center Andrey Desiatnikov (220-1994, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) answered with 17 points and 9 rebounds for Astana. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Astana will play next round against strong Al Ittihad trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against Sagesse. It will be extra interesting game as Sagesse is their local rival from Beirut.
An interesting game for Lebanese Sagesse which played road game in Jeddah against Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad. Sagesse had an easy win 99-69. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and Cady Lalanne chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds. At the losing side South Sudanese forward Majok Deng (205-1993, college: ULM) responded with 22 points and 9 rebounds. 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. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
An interesting game for Iranian Tabiat which hosted in Kuwaiti Qadsia. Tabiat had an easy win 112-85. Stedmon Lemon nailed 45 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals (made all of his seven free throws) for the winning side. Tabiat's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sek Henry came up with 24 points and 5 assists for Qadsia in the defeat. Tabiat will meet Tamil Nadu in the next round. Qadsia will play against Shabab Al Ahli and it may be a tough game between close rivals.




Al Riyadi - Astana 93-58

Lebanese Al Riyadi smashed Kazakhstan Astana in Beirut 93-58. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Astana's 32 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Al Riyadi forced 19 Astana turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 7 assists. Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) contributed with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Russian center Andrey Desiatnikov (220-1994, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) answered with 17 points and 9 rebounds and American guard T.J. Starks (188-1998, college: CSUN) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Astana. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Astana will play next round against strong Al Ittihad trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against Sagesse. It will be extra interesting game as Sagesse is their local rival from Beirut.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 21+1reb+7ast, T.Maker 15+9reb+1ast, M.Georges-Hunt 14+4reb+1ast, M.Maric 11+8reb+1ast, H.Gyokchyan 11+4reb, A.Saoud 10+1reb+2ast
Astana: T.Starks 17+5reb+5ast, A.Desiatnikov 17+9reb+1ast, R.Aitkali 12+8reb, S.Abashidze 3+2reb+1ast, V.Simonov 3+2reb, R.Murzagaliyev 3+2reb+1ast

Al Ittihad - Sagesse 69-99

An interesting game for Lebanese Sagesse which played road game in Jeddah against Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad. Sagesse had an easy win 99-69. Sagesse outrebounded Al Ittihad 43-32 including 30 on the defensive glass. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. At the losing side South Sudanese forward Majok Deng (205-1993, college: ULM) responded with 22 points and 9 rebounds and American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) scored 11 points and 9 assists. 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. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 31+5reb+6ast, C.Lalanne 13+10reb+1ast, J.Khalil 12+3reb+1ast, O.Jamaleddine 10+5reb+1ast, J.O'Bryant III 9+4reb+4ast, M.Khoueiry 8+2reb+2ast
Al Ittihad: M.Deng 22+9reb+1ast, K.DeShields 11+3reb+9ast, M.Almarwani 9+6reb+1ast, M.AlMarwani 8+3reb+2ast, A.Fallatah 6+1reb+2ast, M.Kadi 5+4reb

Tabiat - Qadsia 112-85

An interesting game for Iranian Tabiat which hosted in Kuwaiti Qadsia. Tabiat had an easy win 112-85. Tabiat made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game, while Qadsia only scored four points from the stripe. Tabiat forced 19 Qadsia turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. Tabiat looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. American swingman Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) nailed 45 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals (made all of his seven free throws) for the winning side and point guard Sina Vahedi (185-2001, agency: Diamond Sports) accounted for 31 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Tabiat's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jamaican-American guard Sek Henry (193-1987, college: Nebraska) came up with 24 points and 5 assists and Nigerian-American power forward Chinemelu Elonu (206-1987, college: Texas A&M) added 21 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Qadsia in the defeat. Tabiat will meet Tamil Nadu in the next round. Qadsia will play against Shabab Al Ahli and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tabiat: S.Lemon 45+6reb+8ast, S.Vahedi 31+5reb+10ast, I.Buva 14+4reb, A.Reza Sharifi 7+3reb, R.Mozafari 7+2reb+6ast, M.Shahrian 3+4reb+3ast
Qadsia: S.Henry 24+3reb+5ast, C.Elonu 21+5reb, S.Akbar 10+4ast, A.AlSaeid 7+2reb+1ast, A.Alhamidi 7+2reb+3ast, M.Ashkanani 6+5reb