Liga MB Round 9: Cojute win their first game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Cojute can celebrate finally their first win this season after six consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat El Rapido (1-6) 88-67 on Friday. They outrebounded El Rapido 54-38 including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was guard Devan Downey (175-87, college: S.Carolina) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points, 25 rebounds and 4 blocks. Swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) chipped in 30 points and 12 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Reggie Baker (193-93, college: BCU) who recorded 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. El Rapido's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Cojute left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with defeated El Rapido. Cojute is looking forward to face higher ranked Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. El Rapido will play against Chalchuapa (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in San Vicente was also worth to mention about. Second ranked San Salvador (7-1) played at the court of 6th ranked Fantasmas (4-4). San Salvador defeated Fantasmas 105-89. It was a good game for Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) who led his team to a victory with 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Eddie Ishman contributed with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) answered with 30 points and 8 rebounds for Fantasmas. San Salvador have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-1 record having just one point less than leader Aguila. Fantasmas at the other side keep the sixth position with four games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fantasmas will play at home against Santa Ana (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 9 Brujos were crushed by Santa Tecla in a road game 98-78.

Santa Tecla - Brujos 98-78

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Brujos' (4-3) road loss to fourth ranked Santa Tecla (6-2) 78-98. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Brujos' 44. Santa Tecla forced 19 Brujos turnovers and outrebounded them 58-36 including a 38-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a good game for center Carlos Arias (200-89) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. American forward Arsenio Arrington (206-96, college: Aquinas Coll.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Five Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. American point guard Jeremee Davis (191-90, college: Georgia Coll.) answered with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and the other American import forward Harrison Rieger (196-98) added 17 points and 7 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) in the effort for Brujos. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion moved-up to third place. Brujos at the other side keep the fifth position with three games lost. Santa Tecla will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brujos will play on the road against the league's leader Aguila (#1) in San Miguel and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Brujos: J.Davis 20+6reb+5ast, R.Harrison 17+7reb+1ast, A.Moe 14+8reb, J.Angulo 8+2reb+3ast, J.Crespin 6+4reb+1ast, M.Bryan 5+1reb
Santa Tecla: C.Arias 24+15reb, A.Arrington 17+16reb+1ast, A.Arias 13+4reb+13ast, M.Lahud 11+4reb+5ast, C.Emmanuel 10+2reb, L.Portal 7

Fantasmas - San Salvador 89-105

The game in San Vicente was also worth to mention about. Second ranked San Salvador (7-1) played at the court of 6th ranked Fantasmas (4-4). San Salvador defeated Fantasmas 105-89. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 42. San Salvador forced 20 Fantasmas turnovers. It was a good game for Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) who led his team to a victory with 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-86, college: Miles) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) answered with 30 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Sameen Swint (193, college: GBC) added 23 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Fantasmas. Five San Salvador and four Fantasmas players scored in double figures. San Salvador have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-1 record having just one point less than leader Aguila. Fantasmas at the other side keep the sixth position with four games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fantasmas will play at home against Santa Ana (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: R.Bell 30+8reb+3ast, S.Swint 23+6reb+1ast, N.Moore 12+14reb, C.Sorto 12+7reb+2ast, J.Nelson 8+1reb, H.Carlos 4
San Salvador: B.Polanco 35+7reb+4ast, J.Cross 22+5reb, E.Ishman 20+14reb+4ast, S.Bandek 18+10reb+7ast, E.Escalante 10+2reb+2ast, G.Sosa 0

Cojute - El Rapido 88-67

Cojute can celebrate finally their first win this season after six consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat El Rapido (1-6) 88-67 on Friday. They outrebounded El Rapido 54-38 including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was guard Devan Downey (175-87, college: S.Carolina) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points, 25 rebounds and 4 blocks. Swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Reggie Baker (193-93, college: BCU) who recorded 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Jerry Price (170, college: Rowan) added 17 points respectively. El Rapido's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Cojute left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with defeated El Rapido. Cojute is looking forward to face higher ranked Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. El Rapido will play against Chalchuapa (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
El Rapido: R.Baker 17+5reb+4ast, J.Price 17+2ast, E.Contreras 10+3reb+1ast, D.Jaramillo 8+11reb, G.Martinez 7+9reb+1ast, C.Marquina 5+7reb
Cojute: Z.Owens 30+12reb+1ast, C.Moten 26+3reb+3ast, D.Downey 19+25reb+3ast, J.Gomez 4+3reb+1ast, R.Jose 3, B.Reyes 3+5reb+1ast



Tags : DEVAN DOWNEY, CLUB DE BALONCESTO COJUTE, EUROCUP BASKETBALL