Round 1 (Regular Season): Al Sharjah lose to Al-Ula

The Regular Season in West Asia Super League just started. Coincidentally all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of UAE Al Sharjah at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Saudi Arabian Al-Ula 108-74. The guests trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 20-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 108-74. Al-Ula made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Al-Ula outrebounded Al Sharjah 45-28 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) fired 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) chipped in 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Glenn Robinson III (198-1994, college: Michigan) produced 24 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another exciting game was played in Dubai between Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad and UAE Shabab Al Ahli where Al Ittihad beat Shabab Al Ahli on the road 94-88. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 17 assists. Jarell Eddie contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Al Ittihad's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State, agency: The Crew A.M.) answered with 39 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 7 assists for Shabab Al Ahli. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Al Sharjah - Al-Ula 74-108

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of UAE Al Sharjah at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Saudi Arabian Al-Ula 108-74. The guests trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 20-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 108-74. Al-Ula made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Al-Ula outrebounded Al Sharjah 45-28 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Ula looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) fired 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) chipped in 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Glenn Robinson III (198-1994, college: Michigan) produced 24 points and 8 rebounds and American-UAE guard DeMarco Dickerson (196-1997, college: SHU, agency: One Motive Sports) added 17 points and 13 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Sharjah: G.Robinson III 24+8reb+3ast, D.Dickerson 17+3reb+13ast, K.Bigby-Williams 16+11reb, A.Mahmoud 11+2reb+2ast, A.Ahmed 4+4reb, A.Gheilani Hamed 2
Al-Ula: J.Gibson 38+6reb+4ast, W.Arakji 35+7reb+6ast, A.Mohammed 15+13reb+1ast, T.Maker 13+11reb+2ast, A.Abdulaziz 7+4reb+5ast, A.Ahmad 0

Shabab Al Ahli - Al Ittihad 88-94

Another exciting game was played in Dubai between Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad and UAE Shabab Al Ahli where Al Ittihad beat Shabab Al Ahli on the road 94-88. Shabab Al Ahli was ahead by 3 points after three quarters before a 30-21 charge of Al Ittihad, which allowed them to win the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 17 assists. Forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Neal is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Al Ittihad's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State, agency: The Crew A.M.) answered with 39 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 7 assists and forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) added 21 points in the effort for Shabab Al Ahli. Five Al Ittihad and four Shabab Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shabab Al Ahli: D.Washington 39+9reb+7ast, D.Dixson 21+3reb+1ast, A.Qais 15+6reb, A.Majok 11+12reb+1ast, A.Hamid 2+1reb, J.Mohammad 0
Al Ittihad: E.Neal 25+6reb+17ast, J.Eddie 19+8reb+1ast, A.Nasser 15+4reb+2ast, I.Fall-Faye 13+6reb+1ast, A.Mathna 10+5reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 9+4reb