Round 22 (Regular Season): Astana is upset by Al Wahda

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Damascus between second ranked Kazakhstan Astana (5-3) and fifth ranked Syrian Al Wahda (2-6) on Thursday night. Astana was defeated by Al Wahda on the road 99-89. Al Wahda dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Astana's 36 and made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Al Wahda looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American Falando Jones (193-1990, college: MVSU) fired 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The other American import James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) chipped in 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. American point guard EJ Day (180-1999, college: Lasell) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 assists and 4 steals for lost side. Defending Syrian champion maintains fifth position with 2-6 record. Astana at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Beirut. First ranked Lebanese Al Riyadi faced 3rd ranked Iranian Gorgan. Host Al Riyadi (6-2) defeated guests from Gorgan (3-4) 95-89. Worth to mention a great performance of American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 9 rebounds. Perrin Buford contributed with 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) replied with 40 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for Gorgan. Gorgan's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Lebanese champion maintains first position with 6-2 record. Gorgan lost fourth consecutive game. Defending Iranian champion keeps the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Sagesse.




Al Riyadi - Gorgan 95-89

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Beirut. First ranked Lebanese Al Riyadi faced 3rd ranked Iranian Gorgan. Host Al Riyadi (6-2) defeated guests from Gorgan (3-4) 95-89. Al Riyadi players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 9 rebounds. The other American import forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) replied with 40 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Parrish Petty (185-1988, college: UTRGV) added 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Gorgan. Gorgan's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Lebanese champion maintains first position with 6-2 record. Gorgan lost fourth consecutive game. Defending Iranian champion keeps the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Sagesse.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: K.Maurice 25+9reb+3ast, B.Perrin 21+5reb+3ast, O.Nuni 15+3reb+4ast, G.Hayk 12+5reb+2ast, M.Ali 11+4reb+7ast, S.Amir 6+3reb+5ast
Gorgan: J.Hamilton 40+8reb+2ast, P.Petty 19+9reb+6ast, M.Mirzaei 11+7reb+1ast, A.Yazarloo 8+3reb+2ast, M.Hassanzadeh 5+7reb, G.Piter 4

Al Wahda - Astana 99-89

The most important game in the last round took place in Damascus between second ranked Kazakhstan Astana (5-3) and fifth ranked Syrian Al Wahda (2-6) on Thursday night. Astana was defeated by Al Wahda on the road 99-89. Al Wahda dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Astana's 36 and made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Al Wahda looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American Falando Jones (193-1990, college: MVSU) fired 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The other American import James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) chipped in 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. American point guard EJ Day (180-1999, college: Lasell) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 assists and 4 steals and forward Alexander Zhigulin (205-1994) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Astana players scored in double figures. Defending Syrian champion maintains fifth position with 2-6 record. Astana at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Wahda: J.Falando 30+8reb+4ast, J.James 27+7reb+5ast, P.Domagoj 14+4reb+5ast, M.Atli 9+9reb+5ast, M.Al-Balbisi 8+3reb+1ast, C.Maran 6+3reb
Astana: E.Day 23+4reb+10ast, A.Ruslan 17+1reb, M.Askar 15+5reb+1ast, A.Zhigulin 12+7reb+2ast, M.Rustam 9+1reb+1ast, C.Vadim 8+4reb+4ast