D1 Round 19 (Regular Season): Nadi Basket keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Nadi Basket as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Nadi Basket defeated 13th ranked Moustakbal in Staoueli 72-64. Mohamed Bensalah (200-2002, college: Paul Quinn) fired 18 points and 4 assists for the winners. The former international forward Abderraouf Benrighi (202-1996) chipped in 10 points and 14 rebounds. Nadi Basket's coach Mohamed Yahya used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Demba Diakite produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks for lost side. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Moustakbal lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 17 games lost. Moustakbal will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Nadi Basket will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked USM Alger on the road.
Important game to mention about took place in Rouiba. Seventh ranked Rouiba (11-8) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Mouloudia (11-8) 57-54 in the game for the fifth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Mouloudia. Worth to mention a great performance of center Sid Benzaime (203-2002) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. Ziad Chenieff contributed with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The former international forward Oussama Aggoun (197-1994) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for Mouloudia. Rouiba moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Mouloudia and USM Alger. Rouiba will play against higher ranked Chabab Sportif (#3) in Tlemcen in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mouloudia will play at home against US Setif and hopes to get back on the winning track.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Setif, where higher ranked USM Alger (11-8) lost to twelfth ranked US Setif (6-13) in a road game 75-79 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of USM Alger. It was a great evening for Mutomb Mbav who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws). US Setif's coach Abdesslem Djeroudi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side Laamouri Merahi responded with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. US Setif maintains twelfth place with 6-13 record. USM Alger at the other side keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Mouloudia and Rouiba. US Setif will meet higher ranked Mouloudia (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. USM Alger will play against the league's leader Nadi Basket having rather not much hope for a victory.

Other games of round 19 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Widad defeated NA Hussein Dey in Boufarik 86-77. CR Beni Saf beat Taradji Amel at home 80-69. CR Dar Beida lost to USM Blida on the opponent's court 57-61.



NA Hussein Dey - Widad 77-86

There was no surprise when 13th ranked NA Hussein Dey (3-16) was defeated at home by third ranked Widad (14-6) 86-77 on Saturday. Widad had a 36-25 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was a great evening for forward Kadour Mtidji (190-1998) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points. The former international center Rabah Zitoun (211-1988) helped adding 11 points and 15 rebounds. At the losing side guard Mounir Djellili (184-1998) responded with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals and the former international power forward Rayan Hamdi (205-1999) scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Widad moved-up to second place. NA Hussein Dey lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. Widad will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. NA Hussein Dey will play against Taradji Amel (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Widad: K.Mtidji 26+3reb+3ast, L.Chebel 13+3reb+5ast, R.Zitoun 11+15reb+1ast, Z.Foughali 9+7reb, T.Hamdani 9+7reb+11ast, A.Messad 9+2reb+2ast
NA Hussein Dey: D.Mounir 32+9reb+4ast, H.Rayan 15+7reb+4ast, S.Nabil 12+3reb+2ast, I.Abdelmalek 6+3reb, H.Redouane 6+5reb+1ast, B.Farouk 4+4reb+3ast

CR Beni Saf - Taradji Amel 80-69

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked CR Beni Saf (12-8) defeated at home 11th ranked Taradji Amel (7-11) 80-69 on Saturday. CR Beni Saf dominated down low during the game scoring 38 of its points in the paint compared to Taradji Amel's 16. They outrebounded Taradji Amel 51-39 including a 37-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. CR Beni Saf looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for guard Imad Didi (182-2004) who led his team to a victory scoring 11 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. French-Mali guard Mamadou Keita (192-1993) helped adding 20 points and 5 rebounds. CR Beni Saf's coach Didi Said allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side guard Nabil Nouari (182-2002) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and Italian point guard Mohamed Ait Ouchane (175-1994) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. CR Beni Saf moved-up to fourth place. Taradji Amel at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 11 games lost. CR Beni Saf will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Taradji Amel will play against NA Hussein Dey (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
CR Beni Saf: M.Keita 20+5reb, D.Belabbes 14+5reb+1ast, I.Didi 11+8reb+7ast, H.Moussa 9+10reb+4ast, M.Azzi 9+8reb, Y.Boudoumi 7+7reb+3ast
Taradji Amel: N.Nabil 20+6reb, A.Ouchane Mohamed 14+7reb+2ast, G.Nabil 12+1reb+4ast, D.Abderafaa 7+2reb, B.Adam Mohammed 6+3reb+3ast, B.Mounir 6+11reb

US Setif - USM Alger 79-75

We should mention about the upset which took place in Setif, where higher ranked USM Alger (11-8) lost to twelfth ranked US Setif (6-13) in a road game 75-79 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of USM Alger. It was a great evening for DR Congolese center Mutomb Mbav (206-1987) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws). Forward Anis Azzouz (198-2000) helped adding 18 points and 7 rebounds. US Setif's coach Abdesslem Djeroudi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side the former international swingman Laamouri Merahi (195-1995) responded with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Ahmed Boutiba (188-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Four US Setif and five USM Alger players scored in double figures. US Setif maintains twelfth place with 6-13 record. USM Alger at the other side keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Mouloudia and Rouiba. US Setif will meet higher ranked Mouloudia (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. USM Alger will play against the league's leader Nadi Basket having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
US Setif: M.Mbav 24+12reb, A.Azzouz 18+7reb+2ast, A.Faidia 13+4reb+1ast, A.Bendada 12+5reb+2ast, Y.Kalkoul 4+4reb+11ast, O.Gadaoui 3+1reb
USM Alger: B.Ahmed 18+10reb, M.Laamouri 17+9reb+5ast, M.Redouane 15+5reb+2ast, Z.Mehdi 11+15reb+1ast, K.Zakariya 10+1reb+9ast, M.Bacim 4+3reb

USM Blida - CR Dar Beida 61-57

Rather expected game when 10th ranked CR Dar Beida (9-11) was defeated on the road by eighth ranked USM Blida (11-9) 61-57 on Saturday. USM Blida forced 21 CR Dar Beida turnovers. It was a great evening for the former international swingman Abdesslem Dekkiche (194-1986) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Mohamed Zahaf (193) helped adding 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side Ishak Bouamama responded with 21 points and 4 assists and Sif Benbrahim scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. USM Blida have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain eighth place with 11-9 record. CR Dar Beida lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
USM Blida: A.Dekkiche 24+6reb+5ast, M.Zahaf 19+6reb+4ast, A.Debbi 4+3reb, M.Zidouni 4+3reb+1ast, M.Boudoumi 3+10reb+1ast, M.Gherbi 3+5reb+1ast
CR Dar Beida: B.Ishak 21+4reb+4ast, B.Sif 14+7reb+6ast, S.Abdesselem 7+6reb+2ast, A.Ouail 5, B.Younes 4+2reb, B.Mohamed 2+6reb+1ast

Nadi Basket - Moustakbal 72-64

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Nadi Basket as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Nadi Basket defeated 13th ranked Moustakbal in Staoueli 72-64. Mohamed Bensalah (200-2002, college: Paul Quinn) fired 18 points and 4 assists for the winners. The former international forward Abderraouf Benrighi (202-1996) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds. Four Nadi Basket players scored in double figures. Nadi Basket's coach Mohamed Yahya used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Demba Diakite produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks and center Zakaria Abdelouahad (202-2005) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Moustakbal lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 17 games lost. Moustakbal will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Nadi Basket will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked USM Alger on the road.
Top scorers:
Nadi Basket: M.Bensalah 18+3reb+4ast, H.Dekakene 15+5reb+2ast, K.Ouahab 10+8reb, A.Benrighi 10+14reb, A.Fedala 8+2reb+9ast, M.Boussad 8+5reb+2ast
Moustakbal: A.Zakaria 17+5reb, D.Demba 15+14reb+2ast, L.Abdelnacer 12+2reb+4ast, A.Ahmed 9+4reb+2ast, K.Abdelmalek 7+7reb+1ast, B.Slimane 4+5reb+7ast

Rouiba - Mouloudia 57-54

Important game to mention about took place in Rouiba. Seventh ranked Rouiba (11-8) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Mouloudia (11-8) 57-54 in the game for the fifth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Mouloudia. Worth to mention a great performance of center Sid Benzaime (203-2002) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. Ziad Chenieff (194-2001) contributed with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The former international forward Oussama Aggoun (197-1994) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and forward Youcef Khalfallah (198-1997) added 9 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Mouloudia. Rouiba moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Mouloudia and USM Alger. Rouiba will play against higher ranked Chabab Sportif (#3) in Tlemcen in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mouloudia will play at home against US Setif and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Rouiba: S.Benzaime 18+17reb+2ast, Z.Chenieff 16+5reb+5ast, N.Sahraoui 8+4reb+1ast, A.Nehal 7+1reb+2ast, M.Guermat 4+3reb+6ast, A.Abaz 2+5reb+1ast
Mouloudia: A.Oussama 12+12reb, Z.Abdelkrim 10+2reb+1ast, K.Youcef 9+9reb, T.Mohamed 8+5reb, M.Ramzi 6+5reb+3ast, A.Mustapha 4+2reb