LBL Round 18: Sagesse is defeated by Dynamo in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Dynamo (#1) and Sagesse (#3). Dynamo (15-1) won against visiting Sagesse (14-2) 83-73. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Strangely Sagesse outrebounded Dynamo 46-34 including a 18-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) scored 26 points and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) chipped in 24 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 16 rebounds. Sagesse's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Dynamo have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-1 record. Sagesse at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with Beirut Club.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Beirut: Dynamo (#1) and Al Riyadi (#4). Dynamo (15-1) won against visiting Al Riyadi (12-3) 87-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) notched a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds to lead the effort and Jad Khalil supported him with 20 points and 7 assists. Even 26 points and 4 assists by the former international guard Wael Arakji (194-1994) did not help to save the game for Al Riyadi. Dynamo have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-1 record. Al Riyadi at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost.
Eighth ranked Hoops (6-10) crushed at home 11th ranked Homentmen (3-12) by 32 points 88-56, which is the biggest margin this round on Friday night. The best player for the winners was Julian Scott who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Joshua Caldwell who recorded 17 points and 8 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. Hoops maintains eighth position with 6-10 record. Homentmen lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 12 games lost.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Champville was destroyed by Al Riyadi on the opponent's court 110-82. Antranik managed to outperform Byblos in a home game 93-87. Liders managed to beat Champville on the road 85-81. Atlas lost to defending champion Beirut Club on its own court 76-95. NSA were smashed by Sagesse in Beirut 71-100.

Dynamo - Sagesse 83-73

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Dynamo (#1) and Sagesse (#3). Dynamo (15-1) won against visiting Sagesse (14-2) 83-73. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Strangely Sagesse outrebounded Dynamo 46-34 including a 18-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) scored 26 points and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) chipped in 24 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 16 rebounds and the former international point guard Ali Mezher (182-1994) scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Sagesse's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Dynamo have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-1 record. Sagesse at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Dynamo: Z.Lofton 26+3reb+7ast, I.Thomas 24+10reb, J.Khalil 15+7reb+5ast, A.Mahmoud 8+5reb, M.Alkhoury 8+4reb+1ast, C.Moussa 2+2reb+1ast
Sagesse: C.Alexander 26+16reb+1ast, K.Roach II 20+3reb, A.Mezher 15+8reb+5ast, S.El Darwich 7+12reb+2ast, P.Bou Abboud 3+5reb+1ast, A.Abdel Massih 2+1ast

Al Riyadi - Champville 110-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Champville's (6-9) road loss to fourth ranked Al Riyadi (12-3) 82-110 on Wednesday. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-1991) who scored 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Karim Zeinoun (188-1999) chipped in 26 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Jimmy Salem (190-1995) who recorded a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Ruot Monyyong (210-1998, college: UALR) added 15 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Riyadi have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-3 record. Champville lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Antranik.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 26+5reb+4ast, K.Zeinoun 26+6reb+3ast, W.Arakji 24+1reb+3ast, H.Gyokchyan 11+4reb+3ast, B.Tabbara 6+3reb, J.Aby Khers 5+6reb+1ast
Champville: J.Salem 29+10reb+4ast, R.Monyyong 15+7reb, G.Choueiry 14+3ast, M.Lomayo 12+1reb, T.Ghassan 4+2reb, B.Elie 4+8reb+1ast

Antranik - Byblos 93-87

Very predictable result in Beirut where seventh ranked Antranik (6-9) defeated bottom-ranked Byblos (2-14) 93-87 on Friday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Jordan Jackson (190-1997, college: UTRGV) who scored 33 points (!!!) and 5 assists. Forward Westley Hinton (206-1991, college: Troy) chipped in 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Phillip Rankin (203-1995, college: LSUA) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and 20 rebounds and guard Victor Bermudez (193-1992, college: Texas St., agency: BIG) added 28 points and 7 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Antranik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Champville. Loser Byblos stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost.
Top scorers:
Antranik: J.Jackson 33+3reb+5ast, W.Hinton 21+9reb+4ast, M.Albert 12+5reb+3ast, E.Ahmad 10+7reb, S.Alaaeddine 6+5reb+3ast, W.Sawan 4+7reb+2ast
Byblos: V.Bermudez 28+3reb+7ast, P.Rankin 24+20reb+1ast, I.Haddad 15+10reb+5ast, A.Sleiman Gio 11+1reb+2ast, N.Dimitri 5+10reb+2ast, A.Chidiac 4+1reb

Hoops - Homentmen 88-56

Eighth ranked Hoops (6-10) crushed at home 11th ranked Homentmen (3-12) by 32 points 88-56, which is the biggest margin this round on Friday night. Hoops outrebounded Homentmen 43-26 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Homentmen's players. The best player for the winners was American power forward Julian Scott (203-1990, college: ASU) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Joseph Zaloum (180-1990) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals. Four Hoops players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Joshua Caldwell (203-1991, college: William Penn, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) who recorded 17 points and 8 rebounds and forward Toufic Sakr (182-1999) added 11 points respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hoops maintains eighth position with 6-10 record. Homentmen lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Hoops: J.Scott 18+10reb+1ast, S.Abed 17+1reb+1ast, E.Helou Hicham 15+6reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 12+6reb+10ast, S.Jason 6+1reb+3ast, S.Elios 5+3reb+1ast
Homentmen: J.Caldwell 17+8reb+1ast, T.Sakr 11+2reb+2ast, A.Golden 9+2reb, H.Toufic 4+1ast, A.Tannoury 4+2reb, A.Serouj 3+3reb+1ast

Champville - Liders 81-85

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Dik El Mehdi where 5th ranked Champville (6-9) was defeated by sixth ranked Liders (7-9) 85-81 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds. American guard Stanley Davis Jr (196-1998, college: Morgan St.) chipped in 25 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Jimmy Salem (190-1995) who recorded 21 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals and guard Georges Choueiry (184-1995) added 17 points respectively. Four Champville players scored in double figures. Liders have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Champville lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Antranik.
Top scorers:
Liders: K.Christophe 27+13reb+1ast, S.Davis Jr. 25+8reb+3ast, Y.Ghantous 17+8reb+4ast, A.Peacock 8+3reb+1ast, M.Hijazi 3+1reb+1ast, J.Nemer 3+3reb+7ast
Champville: J.Salem 21+5reb+7ast, G.Choueiry 17+3reb+1ast, A.Kopaly 16+3reb+1ast, R.Monyyong 10+11reb, K.Assi 7+3reb+6ast, M.Abi-Kheres 6+7reb+1ast

Atlas - Beirut Club 76-95

Everything went according to plan in Zahle where third ranked Beirut Club (14-2) outscored 10th ranked Atlas (4-12) 95-76 on Saturday. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Atlas' players. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Forward Kenneth Horton (201-1989, college: CCSU, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 27 points. Beirut Club's coach Marwan Khalil used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Myles Carter (185-1999, college: Delaware St.) who recorded 31 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists and power forward Mason Harrell (203-1997, college: WSSU) added 20 points and 18 rebounds respectively. Beirut Club have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Sagesse. Atlas lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: K.Horton 27+2reb+1ast, C.Thomas 19+8reb+8ast, M.Haidar 12+2reb, G.Hadidian 11+5reb+2ast, O.Jamaleddine 9+3reb+4ast, R.Akl 8+6reb+10ast
Atlas: M.Carter 31+6reb+8ast, M.Harrell 20+18reb, F.Pierre 11+1reb, H.Turfe 5+4reb+1ast, M.Tarek 5+2reb+3ast, F.Georges 4+6reb+1ast

Dynamo - Al Riyadi 87-79

Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Beirut: Dynamo (#1) and Al Riyadi (#4). Dynamo (15-1) won against visiting Al Riyadi (12-3) 87-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. They outrebounded Al Riyadi 41-29 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) notched a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Jad Khalil (186-1996) supported him with 20 points and 7 assists. Even 26 points and 4 assists by the former international guard Wael Arakji (194-1994) did not help to save the game for Al Riyadi. The former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) added 13 points and 6 rebounds. Dynamo have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-1 record. Al Riyadi at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Dynamo: I.Thomas 33+15reb+1ast, J.Khalil 20+2reb+7ast, A.Mahmoud 12+3reb+5ast, M.Alkhoury 6+12reb+4ast, Z.Lofton 6+3reb, M.Mneimneh 5+1reb
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 26+4reb+4ast, H.Gyokchyan 13+6reb+3ast, A.Saoud 10+4reb+1ast, I.Moneim 9+5reb+4ast, A.Mansour 8+1ast, A.Majok 6+1reb+2ast

Sagesse - NSA 100-71

There was no surprise in Beirut where 9th ranked NSA (5-11) was outplayed by third ranked Sagesse (14-2) 100-71 on Monday. Sagesse forced 19 NSA turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. The former international guard Sergio El Darwich (193-1996, college: Maine) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Sagesse players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Serbian-Montenegrin forward Milko Bjelica (207-1984, agency: BIG) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds and American guard Dallas Morgan (185, college: CMU) added 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sagesse moved-up to second place, which they share with Beirut Club. Newly promoted NSA keeps the ninth position with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: S.El Darwich 18+5reb+4ast, C.Alexander 17+10reb+2ast, A.Mezher 15+3reb+7ast, K.Roach II 15+4reb+3ast, P.Bou Abboud 11+1reb+2ast, A.Abdel Massih 8
NSA: D.Morgan 24+5reb+4ast, M.Bjelica 18+15reb+1ast, K.Mohammad 11+1reb, S.Georges 5+4reb+1ast, K.Jadayel 5+3reb+1ast, O.Kaissy 2+2reb+1ast



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