LSB Round 18 (Regular Season): Leones defeat Tigres in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the LSB took place in Corinto. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 6th ranked Tigres (6-13) to seventh ranked Leones (6-13) 84-82 in the game for the sixth place. Leones forced 23 Tigres turnovers. Puerto Rican guard Eliel Gonzalez (188-1995, college: NC A&T) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Brandon Lavernia (183-2000, college: Chatham) chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Lorenzo Martinez (206-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Leones moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Tigres.
The game in Matagalpa was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Costa Caribe (15-5) played at the court of 8th ranked Indigenas (3-18). Costa Caribe defeated Indigenas 112-96. Puerto Rican guard Jorge Matos (185-1992) notched a double-double by scoring 45 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Luis Lopez supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Costa Caribe's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 17 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists by American guard Dean Tylan (185-1999, college: Rogers St.) did not help to save the game for Indigenas. Costa Caribe have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to third place. Indigenas lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 18 games lost.
Fifth ranked Real Esteli (11-9) crushed at home 9th ranked UNI Basket (2-19) by 50 points 121-71, which is the biggest margin this round on Wednesday night. The best player for the winners was Jared Ruiz who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Angel Alvarado who recorded 12 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Real Esteli have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-9 record. UNI Basket lost nineteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games.

In the last game of round 18 Indigenas were destroyed by UNAN de on the opponent's court 95-65.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 4 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists by Carlos Lopez-Sosa of Real Esteli.



Indigenas - Costa Caribe 96-112

The game in Matagalpa was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Costa Caribe (15-5) played at the court of 8th ranked Indigenas (3-18). Costa Caribe defeated Indigenas 112-96. Costa Caribe dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Indigenas' 32 and made 21-of-25 charity shots (84.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Indigenas 48-35 including 38 on the offensive glass. Costa Caribe players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists. Puerto Rican guard Jorge Matos (185-1992) notched a double-double by scoring 45 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Puerto Rican Luis Lopez (, college: PR-Mayaguez) supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Costa Caribe's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 17 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists by American guard Dean Tylan (185-1999, college: Rogers St.) did not help to save the game for Indigenas. His fellow American import guard Chris Moten-Jackson (190-1989, college: LA Pierce JC) added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Five Indigenas players scored in double figures. Costa Caribe have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to third place. Indigenas lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 18 games lost.
Top scorers:
Costa Caribe: J.Matos 45+10reb+4ast, L.Lopez 20+6reb+9ast, A.Williams 15+17reb+1ast, T.Andrews 8+4reb, D.Real 7+1reb, N.Padilla 5+3ast
Indigenas: F.Hertas 22+1reb+5ast, D.Toruno 19+6reb+3ast, D.Tylan 17+20reb+5ast, C.Moten-Jackson 15+7reb+7ast, G.Paz 14+2ast, L.Blandon 4+1ast

Tigres - Leones 82-84

The most exciting game of round 18 in the LSB took place in Corinto. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 6th ranked Tigres (6-13) to seventh ranked Leones (6-13) 84-82 in the game for the sixth place. Leones forced 23 Tigres turnovers. Puerto Rican guard Eliel Gonzalez (188-1995, college: NC A&T) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Brandon Lavernia (183-2000, college: Chatham) chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Five Leones players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American power forward Lorenzo Martinez (206-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and Lei Vasquez scored 14 points and 8 assists. Leones moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Tigres.
Top scorers:
Leones: E.Gonzalez 18+6reb+2ast, Y.Cruz 17+1reb+1ast, A.Espinoza 13+5reb, K.Gutierrez 11+4reb+2ast, B.Lavernia 10+6reb+6ast, R.Leyva 6+3reb+3ast
Tigres: L.Martinez 20+11reb+3ast, J.Ortiz 19+2reb+2ast, L.Vasquez 14+4reb+8ast, M.Desmond 6+12reb+1ast, M.Lopez 6+1reb+1ast, H.Rodriguez 5+3reb

UNAN de L. - Indigenas 95-65

Very expected game in Leon where 8th ranked Indigenas (3-18) were crushed by second ranked UNAN de (16-4) 95-65 on Wednesday. UNAN de dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Indigenas' 26. UNAN de forced 21 Indigenas turnovers and outrebounded them 65-40 including a 28-8 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Dominican Xavier dela Rosa (196-1991) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Milton Hernandez (-1992) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Chris Moten-Jackson (190-1989, college: LA Pierce JC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Dean Tylan (185-1999, college: Rogers St.) added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists respectively. UNAN de maintains second position with 16-4 record having just one point less than leader Jaguares. Indigenas lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 18 games lost.
Top scorers:
UNAN de L.: X.dela Rosa 18+10reb+4ast, M.Hernandez 14+5reb+1ast, W.Diaz 10+2ast, S.Hodgson 9+4reb+3ast, J.Familia 8+7reb+1ast, V.Thomas 8+2reb
Indigenas: C.Moten-Jackson 25+10reb, D.Tylan 19+8reb+6ast, D.Toruno 9+5reb+3ast, E.Calero 6+3reb, G.Paz 3+2reb, L.Blandon 2

Real Esteli - UNI Basket 121-71

Fifth ranked Real Esteli (11-9) crushed at home 9th ranked UNI Basket (2-19) by 50 points 121-71, which is the biggest margin this round on Wednesday night. Real Esteli outrebounded UNI Basket 63-49 including a 49-36 advantage in offensive rebounds. Real Esteli looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international Jared Ruiz (188-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Puerto Rican Ismael Cruz (190-2000, college: Indian Hills) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Angel Alvarado (196-2004) who recorded 12 points and 9 rebounds and Dominican Francisco Alvarez added 10 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who 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. Real Esteli have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-9 record. UNI Basket lost nineteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: J.Ruiz 24+5reb+6ast, I.Cruz 22+6reb+2ast, J.Campbell 17+1reb+2ast, J.Lopez Sanchez 15+5reb, R.Ponce 13+5reb+4ast, P.Ferguson 10+13reb
UNI Basket: S.Arce 13+2reb+2ast, A.Alvarado 12+9reb, I.Osorio 10+5reb+2ast, F.Alvarez 10+11reb, J.Zeledon 9+5reb+1ast, K.Avalos 9+3reb+4ast