Round 6 (Regular Season): Al Ittihad lose their first game against Al-Muharraq

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad (2-1) in Al Muharraq on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Bahrain Al-Muharraq (1-2) 84-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. Al-Muharraq dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ittihad's 34. Al-Muharraq looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Nick West (210-1994, college: AAMU) chipped in 25 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) with 32 points and 9 rebounds. It was the only win of host team this round and in all other games visitors recorded victories. Defending Bahrain champion maintains fourth position with 1-2 record, which they share with Al Arabi. Defending Saudi Arabian champion Al Ittihad still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Al-Ula. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very significant was Saudi Arabian Al-Ula's (#1) 17-point road victory against second-best Qatari Al Arabi 87-70. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the effort and Mohammed Alsuwailem supported him with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Al-Ula's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds by American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) did not help to save the game for Al Arabi. Al-Ula maintains first position with 2-1 record, which they share with Al Ittihad. Defending Qatari champion Al Arabi dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Al-Muharraq. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Al-Muharraq - Al Ittihad 84-79

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad (2-1) in Al Muharraq on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Bahrain Al-Muharraq (1-2) 84-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Ittihad. Al-Muharraq dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ittihad's 34. Al-Muharraq looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Nick West (210-1994, college: AAMU) chipped in 25 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) with 32 points and 9 rebounds and Senegalese power forward Ibrahima Fall-Faye (207-1997) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. Four Al Ittihad players scored in double figures. It was the only win of host team this round and in all other games visitors recorded victories. Defending Bahrain champion maintains fourth position with 1-2 record, which they share with Al Arabi. Defending Saudi Arabian champion Al Ittihad still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Al-Ula. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: J.Eddie 32+9reb+2ast, I.Fall-Faye 18+17reb, E.Neal 13+6reb+10ast, A.Mathna 12+9reb+5ast, A.Osama 2+3reb+4ast, A.Nasser 2+2reb+1ast
Al-Muharraq: W.Nick 25+8reb+1ast, H.Daniel 20+10reb+8ast, R.Kerwin 18+6reb+10ast, M.Hamoda 8+6reb+2ast, B.Malabes 6+1reb+2ast, M.Juma 4+4reb

Al Arabi - Al-Ula 70-87

Very significant was Saudi Arabian Al-Ula's (#1) 17-point road victory against second-best Qatari Al Arabi 87-70. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al-Ula outrebounded Al Arabi 43-32 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Ula players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the effort and Mohammed Alsuwailem supported him with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Al-Ula's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds by American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) did not help to save the game for Al Arabi. His fellow American import guard Sindou Diallo (194-2000, college: Montana Tech) added 23 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al-Ula maintains first position with 2-1 record, which they share with Al Ittihad. Defending Qatari champion Al Arabi dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Al-Muharraq. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Arabi: S.Diallo 23+4reb+3ast, K.Elmedin 18+10reb+3ast, A.Yahya 14+5reb+1ast, R.Mustafa 12+4reb+2ast, H.Mohamed 3+2reb+1ast, A.Khalid 0
Al-Ula: M.Thon 21+9reb+3ast, A.Wael 18+8reb+12ast, M.Alsuwailem 18+16reb+3ast, A.Alalawi 17+2reb+1ast, G.Jonathan 9+3reb+3ast, M.Alsaqer 2+2reb+1ast