CIBACOPA Round 9: Astros defeat Tijuana Zonkeys in the closest game of the week

Jordan Loveridge

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (7-11) gave a tough game to second ranked Astros (12-6) on Monday. The visitors from Guadalajara managed to secure only three-point victory 87-84. However their fans expected much easier game. Astros dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Tijuana Zonkeys' 30. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Jordan Loveridge (198-1993, college: Utah) stepped up and scored 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Nigerian-American forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-1995, college: Colorado St.) chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds. Astros' coach Ariel Rearte used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Anthony Young (200-1989, college: KWC) with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Astros have a solid series of four victories in a row. Newly promoted Astros maintains second place with 12-6 record having just two points less than leader Hermosillo. Tijuana Zonkeys lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Los Mochis. Astros are looking forward to face Venados (#5) in Mazatlan in the next round. Tijuana Zonkeys will play on the road against Halcones de Ciudad Obregon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (11-7) against fourth ranked Venados (8-10) on Tuesday night. Host Caballeros de Culiacan was defeated by Venados in a tough game in Culiacan 85-93. American center Vincent Boumann (206-1996, college: WOU) nailed 30 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and Jay-R Strowbridge accounted for 19 points and 9 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Venados' coach James Penny allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Johnny Hughes III (203-1997, college: UIW) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds for Caballeros de Culiacan in the defeat. Venados maintains fourth place with 8-10 record, which they share with Guaymas. Caballeros de Culiacan at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost. Venados will play against league's second-placed Astros in Guadalajara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Caballeros de Culiacan will play at home against Ostioneros de Guaymas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Astros (12-6) against seventh ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (7-11) on Wednesday night. Visiting Astros were defeated by Tijuana Zonkeys in a tough game in Tijuana 86-93. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Astros. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Akia Pruitt who scored 28 points (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Lagerald Vick who recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds. Tijuana Zonkeys moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Los Mochis. Newly promoted Astros keep the second position with six games lost. Tijuana Zonkeys will meet bottom-ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (#8) on the road in the next round. Astros will play against Venados (#5) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: bottom-ranked Obregon lost to Hermosillo on the opponent's court 78-86. Guaymas managed to outperform Los Mochis in a home game 93-84. Astros managed to beat Tijuana on the road 85-77. Hermosillo defeated Obregon on its own court 80-72. Los Mochis was beaten by Guaymas in a road game 98-88. Mazatlan were destroyed by Culiacan at home 97-119.