Round 19 (Regular Season): Al-Ula keep a leadership position

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Saudi Arabian Al-Ula as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al-Ula defeated 3rd placed Qatari Al Arabi at home 91-79. The hosts trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they stormed back winning two of next three quarters and won the game by 12 points. It was a great evening for Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 7 assists. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) helped adding 25 points and 10 rebounds. Al-Ula's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Bulgarian-American point guard Dee Bost (189-1989, college: MSU) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Qatari champion Al Arabi keeps the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Al-Muharraq and Al Sharjah. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Sharjah. 4th placed UAE host Al Sharjah (2-4) was smashed by second ranked Kuwaiti Kuwait (4-2) 111-86. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Charlie Moore (183-1998, college: Miami, FL) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 assists. Joffrey Lauvergne accounted for 20 points and 15 rebounds. Kuwait's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Glenn Robinson III (198-1994, college: Michigan) came up with 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for Al Sharjah in the defeat. Defending Kuwaiti champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Sharjah at the other side dropped to the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Al-Muharraq and Al Arabi. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Al Sharjah - Kuwait 86-111

The game between Top Four teams took place in Sharjah. 4th placed UAE host Al Sharjah (2-4) was smashed by second ranked Kuwaiti Kuwait (4-2) 111-86. It looked good early as Al Sharjah took a 5-point small lead at the end of first quarter. But then Kuwait had a 36-17 second period charge getting the lead and Al Sharjah was not able to take back game control losing it eventually 86-111. Kuwait made 23-of-27 charity shots (85.2 percent) during the game. Kuwait outrebounded Al Sharjah 44-33 including 33 on the defensive glass. Kuwait players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Charlie Moore (183-1998, college: Miami, FL) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 assists. French center Joffrey Lauvergne (211-1991) accounted for 20 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side. Five Kuwait players scored in double figures. Kuwait's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Glenn Robinson III (198-1994, college: Michigan) came up with 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard Keljin Blevins (198-1995, college: Montana St., agency: Diamond Sports) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists respectively for Al Sharjah in the defeat. Defending Kuwaiti champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Sharjah at the other side dropped to the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Al-Muharraq and Al Arabi. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Sharjah: G.Robinson III 34+6reb+2ast, K.Bigby-Williams 16+8reb+2ast, K.Blevins 14+6reb+11ast, A.Ahmed 9+6reb, M.Mohamed 6+1reb+1ast, A.Mahmoud 5+3reb+1ast
Kuwait: M.Charlie 32+4reb+10ast, L.Joffrey 20+15reb, H.Hasan 17+8reb+2ast, A.Alexander 13+1reb+4ast, M.Adnan 11+6reb, J.Jamal 7+4reb+3ast

Al-Ula - Al Arabi 91-79

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Saudi Arabian Al-Ula as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al-Ula defeated 3rd placed Qatari Al Arabi at home 91-79. The hosts trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they stormed back winning two of next three quarters and won the game by 12 points. It was a great evening for Lebanese guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 7 assists. American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) helped adding 25 points and 10 rebounds. Al-Ula's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Bulgarian-American point guard Dee Bost (189-1989, college: MSU) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) scored 24 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Qatari champion Al Arabi keeps the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Al-Muharraq and Al Sharjah. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Arabi: K.Elmedin 24+4reb, R.Mustafa 19+3reb+6ast, D.Bost 16+5reb+8ast, A.Yahya 10+14reb+3ast, D.Ousmane 9+6reb, R.Khaled 1
Al-Ula: A.Wael 28+2reb+7ast, G.Jonathan 25+10reb+2ast, M.Alsuwailem 18+10reb+2ast, M.Thon 14+11reb+4ast, A.Alalawi 6+1reb+1ast, A.Aljezani 0