LBL Round 14: Sagesse keeps a leadership position

The Regular Season in LBL just ended. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Sagesse as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Sagesse smashed 6th ranked Liders in Beirut 112-76. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Liders' 42. They outrebounded Liders 45-25 including a 37-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 18 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). The other American import Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) contributed with 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard David Stanley (175, college: Concordia-SP) replied with 19 points and 5 assists for Liders. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Dynamo. Newly promoted Liders keep the sixth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Hoops and Antranik.
Undefeated Sagesse (10-1) recorded its first loss in Beirut. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Al Riyadi (9-1) 77-71. The former international guard Wael Arakji (194-1994) scored 25 points to lead the charge for the winners and Amir Saoud chipped in 22 points and 4 assists during the contest. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds. Sagesse's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Riyadi have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-1 record behind leader Sagesse. Sagesse at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Dynamo.
A very close game took place in Beirut between Antranik and Homentmen. Eighth ranked Antranik (4-7) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Homentmen (3-8). Antranik managed to escape with a 3-point win 104-101 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Homentmen. American players dominated the game. Jordan Jackson notched 37 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 41 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Joshua Caldwell did not help to save the game for Homentmen. Homentmen's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Antranik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hoops and Liders. Loser Homentmen dropped to the ninth position with eight games lost. They share it with Atlas and NSA.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 14: NSA were beaten by Dynamo on the road 89-76. Champville won against Byblos on its own court 84-79. Atlas were outscored by Hoops in Beirut 97-67.

Dynamo - NSA 89-76

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Dynamo (10-1) beat 7th ranked NSA (3-8) in Beirut 89-76 on Tuesday. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) notched 32 points to lead the effort and Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) supported him with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Four Dynamo players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists by American guard Dallas Morgan (185, college: CMU) did not help to save the game for NSA. His fellow American import forward Anthony Fairley (203-1999, college: Miles) added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. NSA's coach tested eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Dynamo have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They used an opportunity after Sagesse lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. NSA lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the ninth place with eight games lost. They share the position with Homentmen and Atlas.
Top scorers:
Dynamo: Z.Lofton 32+4reb+3ast, I.Thomas 14+9reb, K.Ezzeddine 12+8reb+1ast, G.Salibi 10+1reb+2ast, M.Alkhoury 9+4reb, C.Moussa 7+1reb
NSA: D.Morgan 19+10reb+7ast, A.Fairley 17+11reb+1ast, S.Georges 16+1reb, S.Michel 8+2reb, G.Elio 5+1reb+1ast, B.Bechara 5+2reb+2ast

Champville - Byblos 84-79

Very expected game when 12th ranked Byblos (1-10) lost to fifth ranked Champville (6-5) in Dik El Mehdi 79-84 on Wednesday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. The former international guard Jimmy Salem (190-1995) notched 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and American forward Ruot Monyyong (210-1998, college: UALR) supported him with 15 points and 21 rebounds. Champville's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even a double-double of 25 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists by American guard Victor Bermudez (193-1992, college: Texas St., agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Byblos. His fellow American import forward Dontarius James (203-1999, college: Howard) added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Champville maintains fifth position with 6-5 record. Byblos lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Champville: J.Salem 27+9reb+4ast, G.Choueiry 18+4reb+1ast, R.Monyyong 15+21reb, A.Kopaly 7+2reb, M.Lomayo 7+3reb+2ast, K.Assi 5+1reb+6ast
Byblos: V.Bermudez 25+15reb+7ast, D.James 18+11reb+2ast, A.Chidiac 11+3reb+2ast, S.Rayan 9+4reb+2ast, I.Haddad 9+4reb, Y.Charbel 4+1reb

Antranik - Homentmen 104-101

A very close game took place in Beirut between Antranik and Homentmen. Eighth ranked Antranik (4-7) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Homentmen (3-8). Antranik managed to escape with a 3-point win 104-101 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Homentmen. Antranik made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Homentmen turnovers. American players dominated the game. Guard Jordan Jackson (190-1997, college: UTRGV) notched 37 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and forward Westley Hinton (206-1991, college: Troy) supported him with 25 points and 5 rebounds. Four Antranik players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 41 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists by power forward Joshua Caldwell (203-1991, college: William Penn, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) did not help to save the game for Homentmen. Point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) added 35 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the guests. Homentmen's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Antranik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hoops and Liders. Loser Homentmen dropped to the ninth position with eight games lost. They share it with Atlas and NSA.
Top scorers:
Antranik: J.Jackson 37+6reb+6ast, W.Hinton 25+5reb, W.Sawan 19+3reb+1ast, A.Joel 15+2reb+4ast, S.Alaaeddine 8+11reb+5ast, K.Pedros 0
Homentmen: J.Caldwell 41+10reb+4ast, J.Jones 35+10reb+6ast, T.Sakr 11+4reb+6ast, D.Baghdadian 8+3reb+4ast, K.Nayef 4+1reb+2ast, L.Leonel 2+2reb

Sagesse - Liders 112-76

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Sagesse as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Sagesse smashed 6th ranked Liders in Beirut 112-76. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Liders' 42. They outrebounded Liders 45-25 including a 37-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 18 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). The other American import Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) contributed with 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard David Stanley (175, college: Concordia-SP) replied with 19 points and 5 assists and the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) added 16 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Liders. Four Liders players scored in double figures. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Dynamo. Newly promoted Liders keep the sixth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Hoops and Antranik.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: C.Alexander 31+18reb+1ast, K.Roach II 25+5reb+1ast, S.El Darwich 19+4reb+5ast, J.Jarrouge 9+3reb+1ast, P.Bou Abboud 8+4reb+1ast, M.Rudy 7+2reb+1ast
Liders: D.Stanley 19+1reb+5ast, A.Peacock 18+4reb+1ast, K.Christophe 16+6reb+2ast, Y.Ghantous 13+6reb+3ast, M.Hijazi 6+1reb+4ast, J.Makhlouf 4+3reb

Hoops - Atlas 97-67

Everything could happen in Beirut at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Hoops and 8th ranked Atlas had identical 3-7 record. This time Hoops used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from Zahle 97-67 on Friday night. Hoops outrebounded Atlas 54-23 including a 20-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Atlas' players. American power forward Julian Scott (203-1990, college: ASU) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and point guard Joseph Zaloum (180-1990) supported him with 16 points and 12 assists. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 16 points and 5 rebounds by Pierre Fakhry did not help to save the game for Atlas. Guard George Yves-Daaboul (178-1995) added 14 points and 6 assists for the guests. Hoops have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Antranik and Liders. Loser Atlas dropped to the ninth position with eight games lost. They share it with Homentmen and NSA.
Top scorers:
Hoops: J.Scott 24+18reb+6ast, E.Helou Hicham 18+5reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 16+4reb+12ast, K.Amir 9+1reb, C.Washburn 9+8reb+4ast, K.Aoun 8+8reb+1ast
Atlas: F.Pierre 16+5reb+2ast, G.Yves-Daaboul 14+2reb+6ast, F.Georges 12+5reb+1ast, M.Carter 8+3reb+2ast, E.Ayoubi Refaat 7+3reb+2ast, H.Turfe 4+3reb

Al Riyadi - Sagesse 77-71

Undefeated Sagesse (10-1) recorded its first loss in Beirut. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Al Riyadi (9-1) 77-71. Al Riyadi forced 19 Sagesse turnovers. The former international guard Wael Arakji (194-1994) scored 25 points to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-1991) chipped in 22 points and 4 assists during the contest. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds and his fellow American import Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) scored 14 points and 5 assists. Five Sagesse players scored in double figures. Sagesse's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Riyadi have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-1 record behind leader Sagesse. Sagesse at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Dynamo.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 25+3reb+1ast, A.Saoud 22+2reb+4ast, K.Zeinoun 17+4reb+1ast, A.Majok 5+7reb+1ast, I.Moneim 4+9reb+3ast, A.Mansour 2+2reb+4ast
Sagesse: C.Alexander 20+15reb+1ast, K.Roach II 14+3reb+5ast, A.Mezher 12+3reb+7ast, P.Bou Abboud 11+5reb, S.El Darwich 11+5reb+3ast, M.Khoueiry 3+2ast



Tags : CLIFF ALEXANDER, SAGESSE - AL HEKMEH BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL