BNL Round 9 (Regular Season): Suns hand first defeat to Marlins

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Marlins (3-1) in Tshwane on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Suns (4-0) 66-65. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Suns forced 30 Marlins turnovers. Strangely Marlins outrebounded Suns 64-36 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was point guard Siphumle Qanya (182-1993) who scored 23 points and 4 assists. Malawian Ian Limbe (-1997) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Storm Gilchrist (206-2005, college: Temple JC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Suns have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record, which they share with Magic. Defending champion Marlins keep the second position with one game lost.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Kwazulu. Second ranked Marlins faced 3rd placed Mountaineers. Host Marlins (3-1) defeated guests from Cape (2-2) 77-61. It was a good game for forward Storm Gilchrist (206-2005, college: Temple JC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Bena Kabuya contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Sun Kalaya answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds for Mountaineers. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains second place with 3-1 record behind leader Suns. Mountaineers at the other side keep the third position with two games lost. They share it with Eagles.




Suns - Marlins 66-65

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Marlins (3-1) in Tshwane on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Suns (4-0) 66-65. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Suns forced 30 Marlins turnovers. Strangely Marlins outrebounded Suns 64-36 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was point guard Siphumle Qanya (182-1993) who scored 23 points and 4 assists. Malawian Ian Limbe (-1997) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Storm Gilchrist (206-2005, college: Temple JC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists and Bena Kabuya added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Suns have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record, which they share with Magic. Defending champion Marlins keep the second position with one game lost.
Top scorers:
Suns: S.Qanya 23+3reb+4ast, A.Mametja 13+4reb+3ast, I.Limbe 12+6reb+5ast, M.Mokwena 6+6reb, M.Williams 4+2reb, H.Mandungu 4+1reb+1ast
Marlins: T.Gapara 12+9reb, S.Gilchrist 12+18reb+5ast, B.Kabuya 11+6reb+5ast, J.Mahanga 8+4reb+4ast, S.Gininda 7+5reb+2ast, X.Mhlongo 7+8reb

Marlins - Mountaineers 77-61

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Kwazulu. Second ranked Marlins faced 3rd placed Mountaineers. Host Marlins (3-1) defeated guests from Cape (2-2) 77-61. Marlins shot 25 for 40 from the free-throw line, while Mountaineers only scored eight points from the stripe. Marlins forced 25 Mountaineers turnovers and had a 42-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. Marlins players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Mountaineers were plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for forward Storm Gilchrist (206-2005, college: Temple JC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Bena Kabuya contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Sun Kalaya answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds and Michael Masoko added 23 points and 6 steals in the effort for Mountaineers. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains second place with 3-1 record behind leader Suns. Mountaineers at the other side keep the third position with two games lost. They share it with Eagles.
Top scorers:
Marlins: B.Kabuya 18+4reb+5ast, S.Gininda 15+9reb+3ast, S.Gilchrist 14+10reb+5ast, S.Cele 9+6reb+2ast, T.Hendricks 6+3reb+3ast, T.Gapara 5+7reb+3ast
Mountaineers: M.Masoko 23+1reb+2ast, S.Kalaya 15+13reb+2ast, A.Mayi 10+2reb+2ast, J.Wright 5+7reb+1ast, A.Musombwa 4+3reb, A.Hermanus 2+2reb