Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The biggest surprise took place in Keflavik where host Keflavik (9-12) beat league’s leader Stjarnan (15-6) 107-98 on Friday evening. Stjarnan trailed by 13 points at halftime and as many as 15 after three quarters before a 29-23 last quarter charge cut the deficit to 98-107 at the end of the game. Keflavik made 36-of-43 free shots (83.7 percent) during the game. 31 personal fouls committed by Stjarnan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was British forward Callum Lawson (198-1996, college: ACU, agency: Players Group) who scored 28 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Ty-Shon Alexander (193-1998, college: Creighton) chipped in 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Hilmar Henningsson (195-2000) who recorded 20 points and 8 assists. Stjarnan’s coach Baldur Ragnarsson rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Keflavik moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Thor Thorl. Stjarnan at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Tindastoll who have the same record. There is only one round left in the Regular Season. And it will be most important game for Stjarnan this season. They will face strong Njardvik trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Keflavik will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Thor Thorl in Thorlakshofn.
Top ranked Tindastoll (15-6) recorded its sixth loss on the court of third ranked Njardvik. Visitors were defeated by Njardvik 101-90. It was a good game for British-French guard Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (193-1996, college: Bradley) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Dominykas Milka contributed with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winners. Mali-French Sadio Doucoure (200-1992) answered with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for Tindastoll. Njardvik maintains third place with 14-7 record behind leader Tindastoll. Tindastoll at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. They share it with Stjarnan. Njardvik will play against league’s second-placed Stjarnan on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tindastoll will play against Valur and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Eleventh-ranked Hottur (5-16) made lots of trouble for eighth ranked IR (10-11) in Reykjavik on Friday. IR managed to secure only one-point victory 84-83. However their fans expected easier game. Jacob Falko stepped up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Nemanja Knezevic with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. IR moved-up to seventh place, which they share with KR. Loser Hottur keeps the eleventh position with 16 games lost. IR will meet bottom-ranked Haukar (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Hottur will play against Alftanes and hope to secure a win.
Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Haukar was defeated by KR in Reykjavik 103-87. Valur smashed Grindavik at home 99-80. Thor Thorl lost to Alftanes on the opponent’s court 96-108.
KR – Haukar 103-87
There was no surprise in Reykjavik where 12th ranked Haukar (4-17) was defeated by seventh ranked KR (10-11) 103-87 on Thursday. Haukar was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. KR shot 61.8 percent from the field. It was a great shooting night for KR especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 38 assists. The former international guard Thorir Thorbjarnarson (198-1998, college: Nebraska) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners and Latvian Linards Jaunzems (200-1995) chipped in 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Belgian Seppe DEspallier (197-1999) with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward DeSean Parsons (201-1995, college: Portland St.) scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted KR maintains seventh place with 10-11 record, which they share with IR. Haukar lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. KR will meet higher ranked Grindavik (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Haukar will play against IR (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
KR: T.Thorbjarnarson 29+7reb+13ast, L.Jaunzems 20+8reb+4ast, V.Granic 13+3reb, J.Gigliotti 13+6reb+1ast, N.Hilliard IV 10+3reb+13ast, O.Hilmarsson 8+1reb+1ast
Haukar: S.D’Espallier 21+9reb+5ast, H.Arnarson 19+2reb, D.Parsons 16+7reb+5ast, H.Hallgrimsson 11+4reb+4ast, E.Richardson 10+6reb+7ast, A.Kjartansson 6+3reb+7ast
gschID: 1199648
Valur – Grindavik 99-80
The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Valur‘s (13-8) home victory over 5th ranked Grindavik (11-10) 99-80 on Thursday. The game was mostly controlled by Valur. Grindavik managed to win fourth quarter 29-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Valur dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Grindavik‘s 26. They outrebounded Grindavik 51-33 including a 35-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Valur looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Irish-British forward Taiwo Badmus (200-1993, college: UVA Wise) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for the winners and Swedish center Adam Ramstedt (210-1995) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Valur players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American point guard Jeremy Pargo (188-1986, college: Gonzaga) with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Bragi Gudmundsson (196-2003, college: Campbell) scored 10 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Valur have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 13-8 record. Loser Grindavik keeps the fifth position with ten games lost. They share it with Alftanes. Valur will meet league’s leader Tindastoll in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Grindavik will play against KR (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Valur: T.Badmus 27+10reb+2ast, A.Ramstedt 16+8reb+3ast, F.Booker 15+8reb+2ast, K.Acox 13+4reb+2ast, K.Palsson 11+2reb+3ast, J.Jefferson 8+3reb+4ast
Grindavik: J.Pargo 18+5reb+4ast, N.Nokkvason 13+1reb+1ast, B.Gudmundsson 10+5reb+1ast, L.Grantsaan 9+3reb+2ast, K.Gylfason 9+3reb+1ast, A.Helgason 9+1reb
gschID: 1199649
Njardvik – Tindastoll 101-90
Top ranked Tindastoll (15-6) recorded its sixth loss on the court of third ranked Njardvik. Visitors were defeated by Njardvik 101-90. The game was mostly controlled by Njardvik. Tindastoll was better in second period 24-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Njardvik dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Tindastoll‘s 26 and made 19-of-21 charity shots (90.5 percent) during the game. Njardvik players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a good game for British-French guard Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (193-1996, college: Bradley) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Lithuanian center Dominykas Milka (203-1992, college: St.Rose, NY) contributed with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winners. Mali-French Sadio Doucoure (200-1992) answered with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Greek forward Dimitrios Agravanis (208-1994, agency: Diamond Sports) added 21 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Tindastoll. Five Njardvik and four Tindastoll players scored in double figures. Njardvik maintains third place with 14-7 record behind leader Tindastoll. Tindastoll at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. They share it with Stjarnan. Njardvik will play against league’s second-placed Stjarnan on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tindastoll will play against Valur and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Njardvik: D.Milka 26+7reb+3ast, D.Lautier-Ogunleye 21+10reb+6ast, K.Shabazz 20+4reb+9ast, M.Matasovic 15+14reb, V.Alexandersson 13+4reb+2ast, S.Stefansson 6+1reb+1ast
Tindastoll: D.Agravanis 21+7reb+1ast, D.Basile 20+3reb+3ast, S.Doucoure 17+9reb+4ast, D.Geks 12+1ast, G.Agravanis 7+5reb+5ast, S.Bjornsson 6+3reb+2ast
gschID: 1199650
Alftanes – Thor Thorl 108-96
Rather expected game in Reykjavik where 8th ranked Thor Thorl (9-12) was defeated by sixth ranked Alftanes (11-10) 108-96 on Thursday. The game was mostly controlled by Alftanes. Thor Thorl managed to win fourth quarter 34-28. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Alftanes dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Thor Thorl‘s 36. They outrebounded Thor Thorl 39-28 including 30 on the defensive glass. Alftanes looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international guard Haukur Palsson (198-1992, college: Maryland) stepped up and scored 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Nigerian-Italian power forward David Okeke (204-1998, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 19 points and 13 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was American-French forward Jordan Semple (201-1992, college: Chico St.) with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John’s) scored 23 points and 5 rebounds. Five Alftanes and four Thor Thorl players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Alftanes moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Grindavik. Loser Thor Thorl dropped to the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Keflavik. Alftanes will meet Hottur (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Thor Thorl will play against Keflavik and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Alftanes: H.Palsson 23+8reb+4ast, D.Okeke 19+13reb+1ast, D.Jonsson 17+3reb+6ast, J.James 12+5reb+5ast, L.Palyza 11, D.Klonaras 10+6reb
Thor Thorl: M.Heron 23+5reb+2ast, E.Einarsson 19+4reb, J.Tamulis 16+2reb+3ast, J.Semple 16+13reb+5ast, N.Tomsick 9+1reb+10ast, O.Gunnlaugsson 7+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1199652
IR – Hottur 84-83
Eleventh-ranked Hottur (5-16) made lots of trouble for eighth ranked IR (10-11) in Reykjavik on Friday. IR managed to secure only one-point victory 84-83. However their fans expected easier game. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Hottur won fourth quarter 23-15. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. IR made 21-of-22 free shots (95.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American guard Jacob Falko (190-2000, college: Binghamton, agency: Players Group) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 assists for the winners and Croatian forward Dani Koljanin (202-1996, college: UALR) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Montenegrin power forward Nemanja Knezevic (205-1987) with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and guard Adam Asgeirsson (192-1998, college: John Brown) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. IR moved-up to seventh place, which they share with KR. Loser Hottur keeps the eleventh position with 16 games lost. IR will meet bottom-ranked Haukar (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Hottur will play against Alftanes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
IR: M.Kavas 18+6reb+2ast, O.Joergensen 16+2reb+1ast, D.Koljanin 14+10reb+3ast, J.Falko 12+4reb+13ast, C.Pryor 7+3reb, Z.Jukic 7+8reb+2ast
Hottur: N.Knezevic 23+10reb+2ast, A.Asgeirsson 12+5reb+2ast, D.Guardia 12+5reb+1ast, O.Trotter 11+3ast, A.Heede-Andersen 7+2reb+6ast, E.Aevarsson 6+5reb
gschID: 1199653
Keflavik – Stjarnan 107-98
The biggest surprise took place in Keflavik where host Keflavik (9-12) beat league’s leader Stjarnan (15-6) 107-98 on Friday evening. Stjarnan trailed by 13 points at halftime and as many as 15 after three quarters before a 29-23 last quarter charge cut the deficit to 98-107 at the end of the game. Keflavik made 36-of-43 free shots (83.7 percent) during the game. 31 personal fouls committed by Stjarnan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was British forward Callum Lawson (198-1996, college: ACU, agency: Players Group) who scored 28 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Ty-Shon Alexander (193-1998, college: Creighton) chipped in 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Hilmar Henningsson (195-2000) who recorded 20 points and 8 assists and Dutch center Shaquille Rombley (203-1996, college: LMU, agency: Slash Sports) added 18 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Stjarnan’s coach Baldur Ragnarsson rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Keflavik moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Thor Thorl. Stjarnan at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Tindastoll who have the same record. There is only one round left in the Regular Season. And it will be most important game for Stjarnan this season. They will face strong Njardvik trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Keflavik will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Thor Thorl in Thorlakshofn.
Top scorers:
Keflavik: C.Lawson 28+8reb, T.Alexander 26+6reb+4ast, J.Brodnik 22+2reb, R.Raitanen 16+11reb+1ast, H.Petursson 7+4reb+4ast, N.Pruitt 5+1reb
Stjarnan: H.Henningsson 20+4reb+8ast, S.Rombley 18+8reb+1ast, J.Febres 18+6reb+1ast, A.Steinarsson 14+5reb+4ast, V.Ludviksson 8+6reb, O.Gunnarsson 6+4reb
gschID: 1199651