Liga Betclic Round 22 (Regular Season): Imortal beat Sporting by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 22 in the Liga Betclic took place in Albufeira. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Sporting (17-5) to sixth ranked Imortal (9-13) 64-61 on Saturday evening. Imortal outrebounded Sporting 52-35 including a 41-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Keonte Kennedy (196-2000, college: California) who helped to win the game recording 16 points. Forward Robert Jones (208-2001, college: Iowa St.) contributed with 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Forward Brandon Johns Jr (203-1999, college: VCU) replied with 17 points and 9 rebounds for Sporting. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Imortal maintains sixth position with 9-13 record, which they share with Esgueira and Braga. Sporting at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost.
Important game to mention about took place in Porto. Eighth ranked Esgueira (9-13) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging higher ranked FC Porto (15-7) 86-85 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of FC Porto. American point guard Deairius Barker (183, college: Central Mo., agency: Promo Sport ID) scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Delvin Barnstable chipped in 22 points during the contest. At the losing side American Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) responded with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Esgueira moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Imortal and Braga. FC Porto at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost.
An interesting game was also surprising home defeat of 4th ranked Ovarense (#4) in a game versus Braga (#8) 74-67. Mike Fofana notched 25 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort. Braga's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 11 points and 7 rebounds by Jalen Jenkins did not help to save the game for Ovarense. Braga (9-13) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Imortal and Esgueira. Loser Ovarense keeps the fourth position with eight games lost.

Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Oliveirense was beaten by Vitoria SC on the road 84-74. Benfica destroyed Vasco da Gama on its own court 103-70. Bottom-ranked Galitos-Barreiro was outscored by Queluz in a road game 105-74.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 25 points, 6 assists and 4 steals by Jelani Simmons of Queluz.



Imortal - Sporting 64-61

The most exciting game of round 22 in the Liga Betclic took place in Albufeira. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Sporting (17-5) to sixth ranked Imortal (9-13) 64-61 on Saturday evening. Imortal outrebounded Sporting 52-35 including a 41-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Keonte Kennedy (196-2000, college: California) who helped to win the game recording 16 points. Forward Robert Jones (208-2001, college: Iowa St.) contributed with 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Forward Brandon Johns Jr (203-1999, college: VCU) replied with 17 points and 9 rebounds and guard Maleeck Harden-Hayes (201-2001, college: UNCW, agency: Players Group) added 11 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Sporting. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Imortal maintains sixth position with 9-13 record, which they share with Esgueira and Braga. Sporting at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Imortal: K.Keonte 16+4reb+3ast, J.Robert 14+9reb, S.Andre 9+4reb+7ast, L.Niels 8+5reb+2ast, V.Salvador 5+4reb+1ast, T.Fred 5+5reb+1ast
Sporting: B.Johns Jr. 17+9reb+2ast, M.Harden-Hayes 11+11reb+1ast, S.Swenson 10+1reb+1ast, M.Morgan 8+1reb+1ast, A.Cruz 4+2reb, C.Miguel 4+2reb

Vitoria SC - Oliveirense 84-74

There was a surprise result when ninth ranked Vitoria SC (8-14) beat higher ranked Oliveirense (12-10) in Guimaraes 84-74 on Saturday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Vitoria SC made 7 blocks. American guard Chaunce Jenkins (193, college: Seton Hall) notched 25 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Sam Peek (201-1999, college: Stetson) supported him with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Even 12 points and 6 rebounds by point guard Andre Bessa (179-1989) did not help to save the game for Oliveirense. American guard Earl Timberlake Jr (198-2000, college: Bryant, agency: Inception Sports) added 12 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Four Oliveirense players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Vitoria SC maintains ninth position with 8-14 record, which they share with Queluz. Loser Oliveirense keeps the fifth place with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Vitoria SC: J.Chaunce 25+7reb+9ast, S.Jasman 20+2reb, P.Sam 18+9reb+2ast, S.Verde 8+1reb+1ast, P.Bastos 5+1ast, F.Gewert 3+8reb+1ast
Oliveirense: L.Ayers III 15+4reb+1ast, M.McIntosh 12+5reb, B.Andre 12+6reb+2ast, E.Timberlake Jr. 12+8reb, J.Sibert 8+1reb+3ast, J.Boeheim 8+5reb+1ast

Benfica - Vasco da Gama 103-70

Very expected game when 11th ranked Vasco da Gama (6-16) was smashed by first ranked Benfica (20-2) in Lisbon 103-70 on Saturday. Benfica dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Vasco da Gama's 30. They outrebounded Vasco da Gama 53-29 including a 38-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Benfica looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists. Polish power forward Aleksander Dziewa (207-1997) notched 21 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and American-Nigerian center Temidayo Yussuf (201-1996, college: LBSU, agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Benfica players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 8 rebounds by Canadian guard Akoi Yuot (203-1999, college: SAIT) did not help to save the game for Vasco da Gama. American guard Sean Clancey (188-1995, college: Keyano) added 16 points, 5 assists and 5 steals for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Benfica have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 20-2 record. Newly promoted Vasco da Gama keeps the eleventh place with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Benfica: D.Aleksander 21+6reb+1ast, B.Makram 15+6reb+2ast, Y.Temidayo 14+10reb, M.Koby 13+2reb+5ast, E.Francisco 9+3reb, S.Justice 6+1reb+2ast
Vasco da Gama: Y.Akoi 19+8reb+1ast, C.Sean 16+3reb+5ast, L.Lindsey 9+5reb+1ast, N.Ruben 8+4reb+4ast, C.Ivo 6+1reb+3ast, A.Felizardo 4+2reb+2ast

FC Porto - Esgueira 85-86

Important game to mention about took place in Porto. Eighth ranked Esgueira (9-13) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging higher ranked FC Porto (15-7) 86-85 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of FC Porto. American point guard Deairius Barker (183, college: Central Mo., agency: Promo Sport ID) scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Delvin Barnstable (193-2001, college: UW-Whitewater, agency: Players Group) chipped in 22 points during the contest. Barnstable is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) responded with 18 points and 7 rebounds and Mexican-American point guard Jhonathan Dunn (193-1998, college: S.Nazarene) scored 17 points. Four Esgueira and five FC Porto players scored in double figures. Esgueira moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Imortal and Braga. FC Porto at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Esgueira: B.Delvin 22+2reb, B.Deairius 22+7reb+6ast, G.Maurice 14+4reb+3ast, B.Nathan 13+6reb+1ast, G.Ethan 8+4reb, P.Malik 4+9reb+5ast
FC Porto: C.Hudson 18+7reb, J.Dunn 17+3reb+3ast, C.Allen-Williams 13+1reb+7ast, T.Omlid 10+8reb+4ast, J.Davis 10+4reb, R.Beran 8+3reb+3ast

Ovarense - Braga 67-74

An interesting game was also surprising home defeat of 4th ranked Ovarense (#4) in a game versus Braga (#8) 74-67. Ivorian-American forward Mike Fofana (206-1997, college: HSU) notched 25 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and American swingman Delaney Blaylock (196-1997, college: Lewis) supported him with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Braga's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 11 points and 7 rebounds by American Jalen Jenkins (201-1994, college: GMU, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Ovarense. His fellow American import guard Antonio Woods (185-1995, college: Pennsylvania) added 9 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Braga (9-13) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Imortal and Esgueira. Loser Ovarense keeps the fourth position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Braga: F.Mike 25+6reb+1ast, B.Delaney 22+5reb+2ast, M.Antonio 8+2reb+2ast, M.Ricardo 8+10reb+2ast, B.Jesse 4+2reb+1ast, C.Cardoso 3+7reb+5ast
Ovarense: J.Heath 12+2reb+2ast, S.Rodrigo 12+5reb, J.Jenkins 11+7reb+1ast, A.Woods 9+5reb+3ast, M.Monteiro 8+1reb+6ast, I.Pavicevic 7+3reb

Queluz - Galitos-Barreiro 105-74

Rather predictable result when tenth ranked Queluz (8-14) rolled over at home bottom-ranked Galitos-Barreiro (5-17) 105-74 on Saturday. Queluz looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Galitos-Barreiro's players. American guard Jelani Simmons (196-2000, college: S.Indiana) notched 25 points, 6 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and the other American import point guard Michael Bradley (185-2000, college: NKU) supported him with 17 points and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds by Angolan forward Teotonio Do (208-1994, college: UAFS, agency: Interperformances) did not help to save the game for Galitos-Barreiro. American point guard Walyn Napper (185-2000, college: Longwood) added 13 points and 5 assists for lost side. Five Queluz and four Galitos-Barreiro 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. Queluz moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Vitoria SC. Galitos-Barreiro lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost.
Top scorers:
Queluz: S.Jelani 25+4reb+6ast, B.Michael 17+2reb+5ast, H.Danilo 14+3reb, W.DeShaun 13+3reb+2ast, R.Wesley 10+8reb+2ast, T.Goncalo 6+1reb+1ast
Galitos-Barreiro: T.Do 18+14reb, W.Napper 13+4reb+5ast, R.Stein 10+5reb, L.Bernardo 10+1reb+3ast, B.Carter 9+11reb+1ast, M.Daniel 7+2reb