LBL Round 14: Dynamo is defeated by Al Riyadi

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Dynamo (10-2) in Beirut on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Al Riyadi (9-2) 75-60. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. International guard Karim Zeinoun (188-99) scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-91) chipped in 20 points during the contest. International power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-90, college: Michigan Tech) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds. Al Riyadi have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Beirut Club and Sagesse. Newly promoted Dynamo still keeps top position with two games lost. Al Riyadi is looking forward to face Anibal (#10) in Zahle in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Dynamo's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Hoops.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Hoops (#6) and Antranik (#5). Hoops (7-5) won against visiting Antranik (7-5) 82-76. Guard Georges Choueiry (184-95) notched 27 points to lead the effort and Hicham El Helou supported him with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Even 26 points and 5 rebounds by Jean-Marc Jarrouge did not help to save the game for Antranik. Hoops moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Antranik. Hoops' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Dynamo.
Fourth ranked Beirut Club (9-2) crushed at home 11th ranked Byblos (1-11) by 41 points 115-74, which is the biggest margin this round on Thursday night. The best player for the winners was Hayk Gyokchyan who had a triple-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Bechara Boustany produced 19 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Beirut Club have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Sagesse. Byblos lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 11 games lost. They share it with Anibal. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.

In the last two games of round 14 Homentmen lost to Atlas on the opponent's court 61-77. Champville managed to outperform Anibal in a home game 83-70.

Atlas - Homentmen 77-61

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Homentmen's (2-10) road loss to eighth ranked Atlas (4-8) 61-77 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was the former international guard Bassel Harfouch (193-93, college: Alcorn St.) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Leonel Lahoud chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds. Power forward Elios Saad (202-1) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds and Karl Zaloum added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Homentmen players scored in double figures. Atlas maintains eighth position with 4-8 record. Homentmen at the other side keeps the ninth place with ten games lost. Atlas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Homentmen will play against Champville (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Atlas: L.Leonel 20+9reb, B.Harfouch 19+11reb+5ast, A.Joel 15+3reb+4ast, A.Sbeity 9+4reb+3ast, A.Malla Mohamad 8+4reb+1ast, B.Elie 4+3reb
Homentmen: G.Elio 13+1reb+3ast, S.Elios 11+14reb+3ast, K.Jadayel 10+3reb+2ast, Z.Karl 10+6reb+3ast, D.Nader 8+3reb, H.Refaat 6+7reb+2ast

Beirut Club - Byblos 115-74

Fourth ranked Beirut Club (9-2) crushed at home 11th ranked Byblos (1-11) by 41 points 115-74, which is the biggest margin this round on Thursday night. Beirut Club outrebounded Byblos 47-36 including a 37-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Byblos' players. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-90, college: F&M) who had a triple-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. The former international guard Sergio El Darwich (193-96, college: Maine) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Bechara Boustany produced 19 points and 9 rebounds and Mohamed Skaf added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Five Byblos players 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. Beirut Club have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Sagesse. Byblos lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 11 games lost. They share it with Anibal. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: H.Gyokchyan 26+11reb+10ast, S.El Darwich 21+11reb+6ast, N.Souaid 13+4reb+5ast, N.Rabay 12+2reb, G.Hadidian 11+5reb, M.Mneimneh 9+4reb+3ast
Byblos: B.Bechara 19+9reb+2ast, S.Mohamed 13+8reb, H.Omar El 12+3reb+1ast, T.Bassel 11+7reb+1ast, T.Sakr 11+3reb+5ast, S.Joey 5+5reb+3ast

Champville - Anibal 83-70

Rather predictable result in Dik El Mehdi where seventh ranked Champville (5-7) defeated 10th ranked Anibal (1-11) 83-70 on Sunday. Champville forced 21 Anibal turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Ralph Akl (178-90) who scored 23 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 steals. The former international forward Patrick Bou Abboud (199-87) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. American point guard Hamoudy Turfe (183, college: UM-Dearborn) produced 21 points and 5 rebounds and Christopher Maalouf added 18 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Champville maintains seventh position with 5-7 record. Anibal lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Byblos. Champville will meet Homentmen (#9) in the next round. Anibal will play against Al Riyadi and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Champville: R.Akl 23+6reb+7ast, M.Ziadeh 18+9reb+3ast, P.Bou Abboud 14+12reb+8ast, G.Salibi 10+2reb+3ast, I.Haddad 9+1reb, M.Martinez 9+3reb+4ast
Anibal: H.Turfe 21+5reb+2ast, M.Christopher 18+4reb+3ast, S.Bechara 12+1reb+3ast, D.Sami 10+4reb+4ast, A.Tanos Rami 3+1reb+2ast, A.Tannoury 2+1ast

Hoops - Antranik 82-76

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Hoops (#6) and Antranik (#5). Hoops (7-5) won against visiting Antranik (7-5) 82-76. Hoops forced 19 Antranik turnovers. Guard Georges Choueiry (184-95) notched 27 points to lead the effort and Hicham El Helou supported him with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Five Hoops players scored in double figures. Even 26 points and 5 rebounds by Jean-Marc Jarrouge did not help to save the game for Antranik. Elias Sebaaly added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Hoops moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Antranik. Hoops' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Dynamo.
Top scorers:
Hoops: G.Choueiry 27+3reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 17+2reb+7ast, K.Aoun 12+9reb+2ast, E.Helou Hicham 11+11reb+5ast, H.Abdallah 10+7reb+1ast, S.Alaa 5+4reb
Antranik: J.Jarrouge 26+5reb+1ast, S.Elias 11+11reb+1ast, K.Assi 10+3reb+4ast, K.Amir 9+5reb+1ast, Y.Ghantous 7+4reb+11ast, E.Ahmad 6+1reb

Al Riyadi - Dynamo 75-60

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Dynamo (10-2) in Beirut on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Al Riyadi (9-2) 75-60. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. International guard Karim Zeinoun (188-99) scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-91) chipped in 20 points during the contest. Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. International power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-90, college: Michigan Tech) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds and the former international point guard Jad Khalil (186-96) scored 15 points and 4 assists. Al Riyadi have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Beirut Club and Sagesse. Newly promoted Dynamo still keeps top position with two games lost. Al Riyadi is looking forward to face Anibal (#10) in Zahle in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Dynamo's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Hoops.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 20+3reb+3ast, J.Abdel Nour 17+6reb+3ast, K.Zeinoun 15+7reb+5ast, A.Mansour 11+8reb+6ast, M.Alkhoury 10+11reb+2ast, J.Aby Khers 2
Dynamo: M.Haidar 26+10reb+2ast, J.Khalil 15+4reb+4ast, J.Salem 8+6reb+3ast, O.El Ayoubi 7+9reb+2ast, A.Ibrahim 4+3ast, K.Michel 0



Tags : KARIM ZEINOUN, SPORTING AL RIYADI BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL