Round 18 (Regular Season): Shabab Al Ahli defeat Kazma in the game between Top 4 teams

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for UAE Shabab Al Ahli (4-2) which hosted in Dubai 4th ranked Kuwaiti Kazma (1-5). Second ranked Shabab Al Ahli managed to get a 4-point victory 84-80. The hosts trailed by 10 points at the halftime before their 45-31 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Shabab Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kazma's 22 and made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Kazma 40-22 including a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Shabab Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a good game for American guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) who led his team to a victory with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Assane Boye contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American guard Phil Greene IV (187-1992, college: St.John's, agency: Diamond Sports) replied with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for Kazma. Defending UAE champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Kazma lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game for Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad (5-1) which hosted in Jeddah 3rd ranked Bahrain Al-Muharraq (2-4). First ranked Al Ittihad managed to get a 4-point victory 91-87. American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) had a triple-double by scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Elijah Thomas chipped in 25 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Al Ittihad's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Nick West (210-1994, college: AAMU) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Al Ittihad have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Saudi Arabian champion maintains first position with 5-1 record. Defending Bahrain champion Al-Muharraq keeps the third place with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Shabab Al Ahli - Kazma 84-80

An interesting game for UAE Shabab Al Ahli (4-2) which hosted in Dubai 4th ranked Kuwaiti Kazma (1-5). Second ranked Shabab Al Ahli managed to get a 4-point victory 84-80. The hosts trailed by 10 points at the halftime before their 45-31 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Shabab Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kazma's 22 and made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Kazma 40-22 including a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Shabab Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a good game for American guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) who led his team to a victory with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Assane Boye contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Shabab Al Ahli players scored in double figures. American guard Phil Greene IV (187-1992, college: St.John's, agency: Diamond Sports) replied with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and Serbian Strahinja Micovic (204-1992) added 20 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Kazma. Defending UAE champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Kazma lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shabab Al Ahli: W.Deshawndre 27+7reb+5ast, A.Boye 22+6reb+1ast, A.Bryon 11+5reb+3ast, Q.Alshabebi 10+12reb+2ast, T.Alnuaimi 4+4reb+1ast, H.Albreiki 4+3reb+3ast
Kazma: P.Greene IV 22+5reb+7ast, M.Strahinja 20+8reb+1ast, A.Ahmad 14+2reb+6ast, A.Hamad 9+2reb+6ast, A.Hussein 8+2reb+3ast, Y.Abdallah 7+3reb+2ast

Al Ittihad - Al-Muharraq 91-87

An interesting game for Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad (5-1) which hosted in Jeddah 3rd ranked Bahrain Al-Muharraq (2-4). First ranked Al Ittihad managed to get a 4-point victory 91-87. Al-Muharraq was ahead by 10 points after three quarters before a 26-12 charge of Al Ittihad, which allowed them to win the game. They outrebounded Al-Muharraq 47-34 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ittihad players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) had a triple-double by scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Elijah Thomas (210-1996, college: Clemson) chipped in 25 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. 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 in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Nick West (210-1994, college: AAMU) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists and UAE point guard Mohammad Juma (170-1998) scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Five Al-Muharraq players scored in double figures. Al Ittihad have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Saudi Arabian champion maintains first position with 5-1 record. Defending Bahrain champion Al-Muharraq keeps the third place with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad: N.Erick 31+10reb+12ast, T.Elijah 25+13reb+3ast, E.Jarell 13+4reb+4ast, Y.Aljohani 8+2reb, A.Fallatah 5+8reb, O.Albargawi 4+5reb+2ast
Al-Muharraq: N.West 28+15reb+7ast, K.Mahmood 16+2reb+6ast, N.Ali 14+2reb, J.Mohammad 13+9reb+3ast, R.Ali 11+3reb+8ast, M.Bader 5+3reb+3ast