CIBACOPA Round 13: Rayos de Hermosillo edge Astros by three points

Jimond Ivey

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Second-ranked Astros (15-11) made lots of trouble for first ranked Rayos de Hermosillo (22-4) on Friday. Rayos de Hermosillo managed to secure only three-point victory 101-98. However their fans expected easier game. Rayos de Hermosillo made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Rayos de Hermosillo outrebounded Astros 51-38 including a 37-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) fired 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. His fellow American import guard Nojel Eastern (198-1999, college: Purdue) chipped in 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. American Lagerald Vick (196-1997, college: Kansas) produced 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Astros' coach Ariel Rearte rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Rayos de Hermosillo have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 22-4 record. Astros lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the second position with 11 games lost. Rayos de Hermosillo are looking forward to face Tijuana Zonkeys (#4) on the road in the next round. Astros will play against Halcones de Ciudad Obregon and are hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in Los Mochis. Seventh ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (9-17) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 4th placed Venados (13-13) 99-98 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Venados. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Kwame Alexander (201-1990, college: CSUSB, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 9 rebounds (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). Jordan Stevens contributed with 19 points and 5 assists for the winners. American power forward Alex Kaye Williams (203-1993) answered with 29 points and 9 rebounds for Venados. Venados' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Pioneros Los Mochis maintains seventh place with 9-17 record. Venados at the other side keep the fourth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Tijuana. Pioneros Los Mochis will play against higher ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Venados will play against Ostioneros de Guaymas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Guaymas between Ostioneros de Guaymas and Tijuana Zonkeys. Sixth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (11-15) got a very close home victory over 5th ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (13-13). Ostioneros de Guaymas managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 on Friday evening. The game was dominated by American players. Markel Crawford stepped up and scored 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. At the losing side Joshua Webster responded with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Ostioneros de Guaymas maintains sixth place with 11-15 record. Loser Tijuana Zonkeys dropped to the fourth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Mazatlan. Ostioneros de Guaymas will meet higher ranked Venados (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tijuana Zonkeys will play against the league's leader Rayos de Hermosillo and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 13 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Obregon defeated Culiacan in Ciudad Obregon 111-94. Los Mochis was beaten by Mazatlan at home 83-97. Tijuana won against Guaymas on the opponent's court 84-79. Hermosillo managed to outperform Astros in a home game 89-81. Bottom-ranked Obregon recorded a loss to Culiacan on the road 93-83.