LEB Gold is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 17 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most exciting game of round 17 in the LEB Gold took place in San Sebastian. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th placed Gipuzkoa (12-5) to first ranked Estudiantes (14-3) 85-83 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gipuzkoa. Strangely Gipuzkoa outrebounded Estudiantes 43-28 including 28 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American-Finnish forward Alex Murphy (206-1993, college: Northeastern) who scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. American Johnny Dee (183-1992, college: San Diego) chipped in 17 points. Power forward Ivan Aurrecoechea (204-1995, college: NM State) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Estudiantes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 14-3 record. Gipuzkoa at the other side dropped to the third position with five games lost. They share it with Burgos SP and Burgos T.. Estudiantes are looking forward to face Real Betis (#13) in Sevilla in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Gipuzkoa will play on the road against Caceres (#16) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Burgos SP (12-5) against fourteenth ranked Real Betis (6-11) on Friday night. Host Burgos SP was defeated by Real Betis in Burgos 94-82. American guard Branden Frazier (191-1992, college: Fordham) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 7 assists. Rihards Kuksiks contributed with 18 points for the winners. Power forward Ignacio Rosa (206-1999) answered with 21 points and 5 rebounds for Burgos SP. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Real Betis moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Fuenlabrada and Cantabria. Burgos SP lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the third position with five games lost. They share it with Burgos T. and Gipuzkoa. Real Betis will play against league’s leader Estudiantes in Madrid in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Burgos SP will play on the road against Clavijo in Logrono and hopes to get back on the winning track.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Madrid, where 13th ranked Fuenlabrada (6-11) lost at home to sixteenth ranked Menorca (5-12) 75-81 on Sunday. Oliver Stevic stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Joey van Zegeren responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Menorca moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Caceres. Loser Fuenlabrada dropped to the twelfth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Real Betis and Cantabria. Menorca will meet at home higher ranked Oviedo (#9) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fuenlabrada will play against Castello in Castellon and hope to secure a win.
Other games of round 17 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Castello was crushed by Alicante in a road game 86-64. Coruna beat Melilla at home 97-82. Caceres was destroyed by Lleida on the opponent’s court 95-71. Bottom-ranked Clavijo unfortunately lost to Burgos T. in a home game 61-78. Valladolid was rolled over Ourense on the road 77-99. Oviedo defeated Cantabria on its own court 86-81.
The best stats of 17th round was 28 points and 7 rebounds by Mirza Bulic of Cantabria.
Alicante – Castello 86-64
There was no surprise when 17th ranked Castello (4-13) was crushed on the road by eighth ranked Alicante (10-7) 86-64 on Saturday. Alicante made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Castello turnovers and outrebounded them 36-18 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Brad Davison (193-1999, college: Wisconsin) stepped up and scored 19 points and 5 assists for the winners and Senegalese center Serigne Barro (208-1995) chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Calvin Hermanson (198-1994, college: SMC) responded with 13 points and Daniel Manchon (193-1998, agency: Promo Sport ID) scored 10 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Alicante maintains eighth place with 10-7 record. Castello lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the seventeenth position with 13 games lost. Alicante will meet higher ranked Valladolid (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Castello will play against Fuenlabrada (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alicante: B.Davison 19+1reb+5ast, S.Barro 13+6reb, B.Richard 11+2reb+3ast, R.Adria 10+2reb+3ast, K.Kostadinov 9+7reb+1ast, E.Gatell 8+7reb+1ast
Castello: C.Hermanson 13+2reb+1ast, D.Manchon 10+2reb+3ast, G.Bressan 9+1reb, E.Stutz 9+4reb, J.Faner 7+1reb+2ast, J.Franch 5+2reb+2ast
gschID: 1085026
Burgos SP – Real Betis 82-94
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Burgos SP (12-5) against fourteenth ranked Real Betis (6-11) on Friday night. Host Burgos SP was defeated by Real Betis in Burgos 94-82. Real Betis shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 57.7 percentage. American guard Branden Frazier (191-1992, college: Fordham) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 7 assists. Latvian Rihards Kuksiks (201-1988, college: Arizona St.) contributed with 18 points for the winners. Power forward Ignacio Rosa (206-1999) answered with 21 points and 5 rebounds and Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) added 16 points in the effort for Burgos SP. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Real Betis moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Fuenlabrada and Cantabria. Burgos SP lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the third position with five games lost. They share it with Burgos T. and Gipuzkoa. Real Betis will play against league’s leader Estudiantes in Madrid in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Burgos SP will play on the road against Clavijo in Logrono and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Real Betis: B.Frazier 21+1reb+7ast, R.Kuksiks 18+3reb+1ast, L.Faggiano 12+4reb+4ast, J.Rodriguez 9+5reb+1ast, B.De Bisschop 8+4reb, K.Berzins 6+1ast
Burgos SP: I.Rosa 21+5reb+2ast, G.Corbalan 16+2reb, M.Lapornik 9+4reb+3ast, J.Millan 8+6reb+1ast, S.Vene 6+4reb+1ast, M.Speight 6+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1085027
Coruna – Melilla 97-82
No shocking result in a game when second ranked Coruna (13-4) defeated at home 10th ranked Melilla (7-10) 97-82 on Friday. Coruna made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Coruna outrebounded Melilla 44-24 including a 28-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Coruna looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Coruna made 7 blocks. American-Cuban swingman Yunio Barrueta (196-1993, college: Barry) stepped up and scored 23 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Georgian Beqa Burjanadze (201-1994, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds. Five Coruna players scored in double figures. American Parker Van Dyke (191-1994, college: Utah) responded with 21 points and Nigerian-American guard Zaid Hearst (194-1992, college: Quinnipiac) scored 19 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Coruna have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain second place with 13-4 record behind leader Estudiantes. Loser Melilla dropped to the eleventh position with ten games lost. Coruna will meet Cantabria (#14) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Melilla will play against Ourense and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Coruna: Y.Barrueta 23+9reb, K.Olle Lundqvist 15+4reb, B.Burjanadze 13+11reb+1ast, J.Ingus 11+3reb+5ast, A.Diagne 10+7reb+1ast, G.Huskic 8+3reb+4ast
Melilla: P.Van Dyke 21+4reb+2ast, Z.Hearst 19+3reb+2ast, H.Varence 12+7reb+1ast, S.Lepichev 8+2reb+1ast, M.Delas 8+3reb+1ast, A.Marjanovic 6+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1085028
Gipuzkoa – Estudiantes 83-85
The most exciting game of round 17 in the LEB Gold took place in San Sebastian. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th placed Gipuzkoa (12-5) to first ranked Estudiantes (14-3) 85-83 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gipuzkoa. Strangely Gipuzkoa outrebounded Estudiantes 43-28 including 28 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American-Finnish forward Alex Murphy (206-1993, college: Northeastern) who scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. American Johnny Dee (183-1992, college: San Diego) chipped in 17 points. Four Estudiantes players scored in double figures. Power forward Ivan Aurrecoechea (204-1995, college: NM State) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Alex Barcello (188-1998, college: BYU) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Estudiantes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 14-3 record. Gipuzkoa at the other side dropped to the third position with five games lost. They share it with Burgos SP and Burgos T.. Estudiantes are looking forward to face Real Betis (#13) in Sevilla in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Gipuzkoa will play on the road against Caceres (#16) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Estudiantes: A.Murphy 19+5reb+1ast, J.Dee 17+2reb+2ast, F.Guillem 15+3reb+1ast, N.Yannick 11+5reb, K.Larsen 8+3reb+1ast, A.Wintering 6+2reb
Gipuzkoa: I.Aurrecoechea 20+10reb, A.Barcello 19+6reb+1ast, A.Martinez 9+3reb, X.Oroz 7+4reb+4ast, A.Marcius 7+4reb+1ast, M.Carlson 6+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1085029
Lleida – Caceres 95-71
Very expected game when 14th ranked Caceres (5-12) was rolled over on the road by seventh ranked Lleida (11-6) 95-71 on Friday. Lleida looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Chilean guard Ignacio Arroyo-Varela (190-2000) stepped up and scored 18 points for the winners and Portuguese guard Diogo Brito (198-1997, college: Utah St.) chipped in 10 points and 8 assists. Five Lleida players scored in double figures. Finnish forward Remu Raitanen (206-1997, college: USF, agency: Blacktop Management) responded with 15 points and 5 rebounds and Mexican swingman Gael Bonilla (204-2003) scored 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Lleida have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Valladolid. Loser Caceres dropped to the fifteenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Menorca. Lleida will meet higher ranked Burgos T. (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Caceres will play against Gipuzkoa (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Lleida: I.Arroyo-Varela 18+4reb+1ast, J.Lobo 14+1ast, V.Rafa 11+3reb+2ast, C.Krutwig 11+4reb+4ast, D.Simeunovic 11+5reb+2ast, D.Brito 10+4reb+8ast
Caceres: R.Raitanen 15+5reb+1ast, D.Rodriguez 13+2reb+1ast, B.Gael 8+8reb+5ast, H.Atencia 7+5reb+5ast, V.Cepukaitis 6+1reb, D.Andre 6+2reb
gschID: 1085030
Clavijo – Burgos T. 61-78
Very predictable result in Logrono where fifth ranked Burgos T. (12-5) beat bottom-ranked Clavijo (3-14) 78-61 on Friday. Burgos T. made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Clavijo turnovers. Guard Arnau Parrado (204-2000) stepped up and scored 12 points for the winners and power forward Ramon Vila (204-1997, college: Chattanooga) chipped in 12 points. Four Burgos T. players scored in double figures. Forward Ismael Tamba (201-2001) responded with 11 points and 6 rebounds and American swingman Andre Norris (203-1994, college: Dubuque) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Burgos T. moved-up to third place, which they share with Burgos SP and Gipuzkoa. Clavijo at the other side, also newcomer in the league, stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. Burgos T. will meet at home Lleida (#7) in the next round. Clavijo will play against Burgos SP (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Burgos T.: A.Parrado 12+3reb+2ast, R.Vila 12+4reb, D.Bohm 11+4reb, J.Gerard 10+3reb, P.Caio 10+1reb+2ast, J.Cremo 7+3reb+4ast
Clavijo: I.Tamba 11+6reb+3ast, A.Norris 11+6reb+3ast, J.Nicolau 9+6reb+2ast, T.Pau 8+5reb, T.Kevin 6+2ast, D.Knudsen 6+2reb
gschID: 1085031
Fuenlabrada – Menorca 75-81
We should mention about the upset which took place in Madrid, where 13th ranked Fuenlabrada (6-11) lost at home to sixteenth ranked Menorca (5-12) 75-81 on Sunday. Menorca made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Serbian power forward Oliver Stevic (204-1984) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and the former international center Victor Arteaga (212-1992) chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Dutch forward Joey van Zegeren (208-1990, college: Northwestern) responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Tanner McGrew (203-1993, college: WVWC) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Menorca moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Caceres. Loser Fuenlabrada dropped to the twelfth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Real Betis and Cantabria. Menorca will meet at home higher ranked Oviedo (#9) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fuenlabrada will play against Castello in Castellon and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Menorca: E.Demers 17, O.Stevic 16+10reb+4ast, V.Arteaga 14+11reb+1ast, C.Hannah 13+2reb+4ast, J.Grandison 7+3reb, P.Molins 4
Fuenlabrada: P.Aranitovic 19+1reb, J.van Zegeren 17+5reb, T.McGrew 11+9reb+1ast, T.Bellas 10+3reb+7ast, P.Garino 8+2reb+1ast, E.Duran 5+1reb+2ast
gschID: 1085032
Ourense – Valladolid 99-77
There was an upset when higher ranked Valladolid (11-6) was outplayed on the road by eleventh ranked Ourense (8-9) 99-77 on Friday. Ourense outrebounded Valladolid 29-18 including 21 on the defensive glass. Ourense shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American guard Justin Turner (193-1998, college: BGSU) stepped up and scored 27 points for the winners and Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kacinas (204-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) chipped in 26 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). American guard Devin Schmidt (193-1994, college: Delta St.) responded with 15 points and Slovenian-Croatian guard Maj Kovacevic (192-1990, agency: BIG) scored 11 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ourense moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Oviedo. Loser Valladolid keeps the sixth position with six games lost. They share it with Lleida. Ourense will meet Melilla (#11) on the road in the next round. Valladolid will play against Alicante (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ourense: J.Turner 27+4reb+3ast, M.Kacinas 26+2reb+3ast, I.Radic 15+4reb+2ast, J.Santana 9+3reb+5ast, S.Rodriguez 8+1reb, K.Jawara 8+5reb+7ast
Valladolid: D.Schmidt 15+1reb+1ast, M.Kovacevic 11+2reb+3ast, S.Costa 9+1reb+4ast, L.Nwogbo 8+1reb+3ast, J.Puidet 8+4reb+3ast, S.De La Fuente 7+1reb
gschID: 1085033
Oviedo – Cantabria 86-81
Everything went according to plan when tenth ranked Oviedo (8-9) won against at home 12th ranked Cantabria (6-11) 86-81 on Sunday. Oviedo outrebounded Cantabria 39-20 including a 26-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. American guard Demetric Horton (196, college: NC A&T, agency: Players Group) stepped up and scored 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Marc Marti (204-1997) chipped in 17 points. Bosnian Mirza Bulic (207-1992) responded with 28 points and 7 rebounds and guard Agustin Sans (193-1995) scored 15 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Oviedo moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Ourense. Cantabria lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Real Betis and Fuenlabrada. Oviedo will meet Menorca (#15) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Cantabria will play against the league’s second-placed Coruna and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Oviedo: D.Horton 23+5reb+3ast, M.Marti 17+3reb, T.Stuckman 10+2reb, J.Perez 9+5reb+3ast, H.Elisias 9+10reb, C.Robert 8+3reb
Cantabria: M.Bulic 28+7reb, A.Sans 15+2reb+4ast, S.Littleson 15+1reb, V.Voytso 7+2ast, R.Lisboa 5+1ast, J.Nogues 5+1reb
gschID: 1085034
