Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

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.

An interesting game for Fuenlabrada (15-2) which hosted in Madrid 4th placed Real Betis (12-5). Third ranked Fuenlabrada had an easy win 90-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Real Betis. Fuenlabrada made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. DR Congolese center Yannick Nzosa (211-2003) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points. Argentinian-Italian point guard Fernando Zurbriggen (185-1997) contributed with 11 points for the winners. American-Bosnian point guard Alex Renfroe (191-1986, college: Belmont) answered with 17 points for Real Betis. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fuenlabrada have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Estudiantes. Real Betis at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Palencia. Fuenlabrada is looking forward to face Palencia (#5) on the road in the next round. Real Betis will play against Alicante and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
LEB Gold top team – Burgos SP (16-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed sixth ranked Ourense (10-7) 106-81. The former international forward Daniel Diez (203-1993) stepped up and scored 21 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners and Gonzalo Corbalan chipped in 23 points (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). Forward Unai Mendicote (196-1999) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Burgos SP have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 16-1 record. Ourense at the other side keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Burgos SP will play against Castello (#11) in Castellon in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ourense will play at home against Menorca (#13) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Castello (7-10) and Valladolid (6-11), which took place in Valladolid. Higher ranked Castello was outleveled in a road game by fourteenth ranked Valladolid 101-77 on Saturday. Michael Cuevas nailed 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Jalen Tate came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds for Castello in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Valladolid moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Menorca and Gipuzkoa. Loser Castello keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. They share it with Zamora. Valladolid will meet higher ranked Obradoiro (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Castello will play against the league’s leader Burgos SP and will have a slim chance for a victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 17: bottom-ranked Moron was beaten by Alicante on the road 86-74. Menorca lost to Obradoiro on its own court 76-81. Estudiantes managed to outperform Gipuzkoa in Madrid 88-75. Oviedo recorded a loss to Cartagena at home 73-87. Palencia crushed Cantabria on the opponent’s court 83-59. Zamora was beaten by Burgos T. in a home game 81-94.
The most impressive performance of 17th round was 24 points and 9 rebounds by Abdou Thiam of Burgos T..

Alicante – Moron 86-74

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventeenth ranked Alicante‘s (4-13) home victory over bottom-ranked Moron (1-16) 86-74 on Saturday. Alicante outrebounded Moron 42-29 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Alicante looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Danish center Kevin Larsen (208-1993, college: GWU) nailed 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kacinas (204-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) accounted for 15 points and 8 rebounds. Four Alicante players scored in double figures. Alicante’s coach Ruben Perello used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Ivorian guard Lionel Kouadio (192-2001) came up with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals and Senegalese power forward Pape Badji (206-1992) added 12 points respectively for Moron in the defeat. Alicante maintains seventeenth place with 4-13 record. Newly promoted Moron stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Alicante will meet higher ranked Real Betis (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Moron will play against Gipuzkoa (#12) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Moron: L.Kouadio 19+9reb+5ast, A.Norris 13+2reb+1ast, P.Badji 12+4reb, V.da Silva 8+4reb, M.M’Madi 8+3reb+2ast, S.Casero-Ortiz 6+2reb+1ast
Alicante: K.Larsen 17+8reb+5ast, M.Kacinas 15+8reb+1ast, J.King 11+3reb+2ast, J.Mwema 10+4reb+2ast, S.Aris Ceccardi 10+2reb+1ast, A.Lopez 8+4reb+4ast

gschID: 1181336

Menorca – Obradoiro 76-81

Very expected game when 13th ranked Menorca (6-11) lost to eighth ranked Monbus Obradoiro (9-8) in Mahon 76-81 on Saturday. Obradoiro dominated down low during the game scoring 42 of its points in the paint compared to Menorca‘s 16 and made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Menorca 37-22 including a 27-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed 17 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and Alvaro Munoz (197-1990, agency: BIG) accounted for 16 points. Munoz is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American point guard Jalen Cone (180, college: California) came up with 30 points and 4 assists and point guard Pol Figueras (187-1998) added 13 points and 6 assists respectively for Menorca in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Obradoiro moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Burgos T. Loser Menorca dropped to the twelfth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Valladolid and Gipuzkoa. Obradoiro will meet at home Valladolid (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Menorca will play against Ourense and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Menorca: J.Cone 30+4reb+4ast, P.Figueras 13+6ast, M.Lukovic 10+1reb, S.McDonnell 8+4reb, D.Gomez 8+4reb, D.Alderete 3+4reb
Obradoiro: O.Balvin 17+8reb+2ast, A.Munoz 16+3reb+2ast, A.Galan 11+6reb+2ast, J.Stephens 9+2reb+1ast, S.Micovic 7+4reb, S.Quintela 7+4reb+4ast

gschID: 1181337

Burgos SP – Ourense 106-81

LEB Gold top team – Burgos SP (16-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed sixth ranked Ourense (10-7) 106-81. Burgos SP shot 60.3 percent from the field. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. The former international forward Daniel Diez (203-1993) stepped up and scored 21 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners and Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) chipped in 23 points (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). Forward Unai Mendicote (196-1999) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds and Austrian Marvin Ogunsipe (203-1996) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Four Ourense players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Burgos SP have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 16-1 record. Ourense at the other side keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Burgos SP will play against Castello (#11) in Castellon in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ourense will play at home against Menorca (#13) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Ourense: U.Mendicote 15+6reb+1ast, B.Krikke 12+3reb+2ast, D.Brito 11+2reb+3ast, M.Ogunsipe 10+6reb+1ast, S.Paz Vazquez 8+2reb, J.Lopez 7+1ast
Burgos SP: G.Corbalan 23+1ast, D.Diez 21+3reb+2ast, L.Fischer 12+2reb, J.Axel Gudmundsson 9+4reb+6ast, R.Stumbris 8+3reb, G.Goloman 8+6reb+1ast

gschID: 1181338

Gipuzkoa – Estudiantes 75-88

Very predictable result when third ranked Estudiantes (15-2) won against 12th ranked Gipuzkoa (6-11) in San Sebastian 88-75 on Friday. Estudiantes dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Gipuzkoa‘s 28. Senegalese center Serigne Barro (208-1995) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and Argentinian-Italian Patricio Garino (201-1993, college: GWU) accounted for 20 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Canadian-Croatian power forward Josip Vrankic (206-1998, college: Santa Clara, agency: Players Group) came up with 18 points and 4 steals and Serbian-Croatian guard Petar Aranitovic (194-1994, agency: Interperformances) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Gipuzkoa in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Estudiantes moved-up to second place, which they share with Fuenlabrada. Gipuzkoa lost their third game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Valladolid and Menorca. Estudiantes will meet at home Oviedo (#15) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Gipuzkoa will play against Moron in Moron de la Frontera and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gipuzkoa: J.Vrankic 18+2reb+2ast, P.Aranitovic 11+5reb+3ast, A.Martinez 11+6reb+1ast, X.Johnson 11+1reb+4ast, M.Diaz 6+1reb+3ast, M.Ansorregui 6+4reb
Estudiantes: P.Garino 20+2reb+1ast, D.Schmidt 14+3reb+1ast, S.Barro 12+12reb+2ast, J.Granger 11+2reb+4ast, D.Kravic 8+7reb, J.Rubio 6+2reb

gschID: 1181339

Fuenlabrada – Real Betis 90-73

gschID: 1181340

Oviedo – Cartagena 73-87

Not a big story in a game when 14th ranked Oviedo (5-12) lost at home to ninth ranked Cartagena (8-9) 87-73 on Saturday. American-Nigerian forward Stephen Ugochukwu (201-1996, college: McNeese St.) nailed 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and Dutch forward Dylan Van Eyck (203-1998, college: Iona) accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds. Ugochukwu is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Cartagena players scored in double figures. American-Nigerian power forward Ike Nweke (201-2000, college: Quinnipiac) came up with 16 points and Lucas Langarita (192-2005) added 14 points and 4 steals respectively for Oviedo in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Cartagena maintains ninth place with 8-9 record. Loser Oviedo dropped to the fifteenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Cantabria. Cartagena will meet at home Zamora (#10) in the next round. Oviedo will play against the league’s second-placed Estudiantes (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Oviedo: I.Nweke 16+3reb+2ast, R.Lobaco 14+3reb, L.Langarita 14+4reb+3ast, D.Duscak 9+1reb+6ast, L.Menuge 6+1reb, M.Sanz 5+11reb+1ast
Cartagena: D.Van Eyck 17+6reb, S.Ugochukwu 17+7reb, S.Garuba 13+2reb+1ast, C.Hermanson 13+1ast, A.Jorda 9+1reb+2ast, A.Gonzalez 6+3reb

gschID: 1181341

Cantabria – Palencia 59-83

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Zunder Palencia (12-5) outplayed 15th ranked Cantabria (5-12) in Torrelavega 83-59 on Saturday. American point guard Alec Wintering (183-1995, college: Portland) nailed 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import center Cameron Krutwig (206-1998, college: Loyola, IL) accounted for 6 points and 10 rebounds. Congolese forward Romaric Belemene (202-1997) came up with 13 points and 7 rebounds and Montenegrin guard Nikola Rakocevic (192-1991) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Cantabria in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Palencia moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Real Betis. Cantabria lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Oviedo. Palencia will meet at home higher ranked Fuenlabrada (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cantabria will play against Burgos T. (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cantabria: R.Belemene 13+7reb+1ast, N.Rakocevic 11+6reb+1ast, G.Martinez 8+3reb+4ast, G.Kande 6+10reb+1ast, M.Bulic 6+2reb, S.Littleson 6+2reb+2ast
Palencia: A.Wintering 14+5reb+6ast, T.Borg 10+1reb+4ast, A.Kunkel 9+1reb+3ast, J.Pablo Vaulet 9+7reb+1ast, M.Kamba 8+7reb+2ast, D.Dimitrov 8+1reb+1ast

gschID: 1181342

Valladolid – Castello 101-77

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Castello (7-10) and Valladolid (6-11), which took place in Valladolid. Higher ranked Castello was outleveled in a road game by fourteenth ranked Valladolid 101-77 on Saturday. Naturalized Dominican guard Michael Cuevas (188-1994) nailed 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Slovenian-Croatian guard Maj Kovacevic (192-1990, agency: BIG) accounted for 21 points. Four Valladolid players scored in double figures. American guard Jalen Tate (198-1998, college: Arkansas) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds and American-Cameroonian guard Charles Minlend Jr (193-1997, college: Louisville) added 15 points respectively for Castello in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Valladolid moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Menorca and Gipuzkoa. Loser Castello keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. They share it with Zamora. Valladolid will meet higher ranked Obradoiro (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Castello will play against the league’s leader Burgos SP and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Castello: J.Tate 16+8reb+1ast, C.Minlend Jr. 15+4reb+3ast, J.Faner 9+2reb+2ast, A.Martinez 7+3reb, E.Stutz 7+2reb, A.Etxeguren 7+4reb+1ast
Valladolid: M.Cuevas 25+6reb+7ast, M.Kovacevic 21+3reb+1ast, V.Vucetic 15+5reb, E.Demers 12+2reb, S.Wilson 8+11reb+1ast, D.Manchon 6+2reb+3ast

gschID: 1181343

Zamora – Burgos T. 81-94

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Zamora‘s (7-10) home loss to eighth ranked Burgos T. (9-8) 81-94 on Saturday. Burgos T. outrebounded Zamora 51-31 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Burgos T. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Zamora‘s players. Senegalese power forward Abdou Thiam (210-1998) nailed 24 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-1999) accounted for 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Burgos T. players scored in double figures. Lithuanian center Jonas Paukste (224-2000) came up with 9 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American point guard Jordan Walker (186-1997, college: Morehead St., agency: Octagon Europe) added 17 points respectively for Zamora in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Burgos T. moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Obradoiro. Zamora lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the tenth position with ten games lost. They share it with Castello. Burgos T. will meet at home Cantabria (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zamora will play against Cartagena (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zamora: J.Walker 17+1reb, T.Naspler 10+1reb+1ast, J.Paukste 9+12reb+1ast, Z.Hearst 9+4reb+1ast, J.Saintel 9+1reb, J.Round 8+3reb
Burgos T.: A.Thiam 24+9reb, J.Lobo 14+3reb+1ast, C.Pacheco 13+11reb+6ast, L.Jones 11+6reb+9ast, M.Soluade 9+1reb+2ast, J.Diaz 6+4reb+2ast