LBL Round 7: Sagesse edge Beirut Club by three points

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 7 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of much higher ranked Beirut Club (3-2) to sixth ranked Sagesse (3-1) 70-67 on Friday evening. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Christophe Khalil fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. International point guard Ali Mezher (182-94) chipped in 15 points and 7 assists. The former international forward Patrick Bou Abboud (199-87) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists for lost side. Sagesse keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Beirut Club at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Sagesse will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Beirut Club will play on the road against Atlas in Zahle and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Tripoli was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Byblos (2-3) played at the court of eighth ranked Moutahed (3-2). Moutahed defeated Byblos 73-61. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Malek Hijazi (190-94, college: West LA) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. William Sawan contributed with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Mohamad Skaf answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds for Byblos. Byblos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Moutahed moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Byblos at the other side dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. Moutahed will play against Champville (#4) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round. Byblos will play on the road against the league's leader Al Riyadi (#1) in Beirut and hope to get back on the winning track.

Beirut Club - Sagesse 67-70

The most exciting game of round 7 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of much higher ranked Beirut Club (3-2) to sixth ranked Sagesse (3-1) 70-67 on Friday evening. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Christophe Khalil fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. International point guard Ali Mezher (182-94) chipped in 15 points and 7 assists. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. The former international forward Patrick Bou Abboud (199-87) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international power forward Marwan Ziadeh (202-87) added 13 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Sagesse keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Beirut Club at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Sagesse will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Beirut Club will play on the road against Atlas in Zahle and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: K.Christophe 17+10reb+1ast, N.Souaid 16+5reb+3ast, A.Mezher 15+4reb+7ast, M.Khoueiry 10+9reb+2ast, H.Mike 9+5reb+1ast, R.Fahed 3+2reb
Beirut Club: E.Chamoun 13+3reb+2ast, M.Ziadeh 13+9reb+1ast, P.Bou Abboud 11+12reb+7ast, R.Akl 9+7reb+5ast, A.Joel 9+1reb+2ast, A.Kopaly 8+3reb

Moutahed - Byblos 73-61

The game in Tripoli was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Byblos (2-3) played at the court of eighth ranked Moutahed (3-2). Moutahed defeated Byblos 73-61. Moutahed forced 19 Byblos turnovers. Strangely Byblos outrebounded Moutahed 52-37 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Malek Hijazi (190-94, college: West LA) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward William Sawan (201-98, agency: BIG) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Mohamad Skaf answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds and Bechara Boustany added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Byblos. Byblos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Moutahed moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Byblos at the other side dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. Moutahed will play against Champville (#4) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round. Byblos will play on the road against the league's leader Al Riyadi (#1) in Beirut and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Moutahed: M.Hijazi 20+6reb+5ast, I.Haddad 18+6reb+3ast, W.Sawan 17+10reb, G.Elio 8+2reb+2ast, A.Ramzi 6+10reb, W.Zeidan 4+3reb+2ast
Byblos: S.Mohamad 17+14reb+1ast, B.Bechara 12+9reb+3ast, T.Hawchar 10+9reb, A.Ziad El 9+13reb, K.Assi 6+4reb+8ast, T.Saker 5+2ast



Tags : ALI MEZHER, SAGESSE - AL HEKMEH BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL