LBL Round 6 (Regular Season): Homentmen defeats Al Riyadi in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 6 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-best Al Riyadi (4-2) to fifth ranked Homentmen (4-2) 98-97 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) scored 22 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-1991) with 21 points and 6 assists. Homentmen have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Champville. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Eighth-ranked Antranik (1-5) gave a tough game to second ranked Beirut Club (5-1). Beirut Club managed to secure only one-point victory 93-92. However their fans expected much easier game. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and Ali Mezher supported him with 13 points, 14 assists and 4 steals. Even a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds by Guy Atamian did not help to save the game for Antranik. Beirut Club maintains second position with 5-1 record behind leader Sagesse. Antranik lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with Mayrouba and NSA. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Homentmen.
LBL top team - Sagesse (6-0) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they beat tenth ranked NSA (1-5) 77-59. The best player for the winners was Pierre Jackson who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Sagesse's coach Jad El Hajj 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 Calvin Godfrey who recorded 17 points and 9 rebounds. Undefeated Sagesse have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Newly promoted NSA stay at the bottom place with five games lost. They share the position with Mayrouba and Antranik. Sagesse will meet at home Champville (#4) in the next round. NSA will play against Antonine (#6) and hope to win that game.

In the last two games of round 6 Antonine won against Mayrouba on the opponent's court 65-63. Champville managed to outperform Hoops in a home game 85-78.



Al Riyadi - Homentmen 97-98

The most exciting game of round 6 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-best Al Riyadi (4-2) to fifth ranked Homentmen (4-2) 98-97 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) scored 22 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-1991) with 21 points and 6 assists and Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Five Homentmen and four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Homentmen have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Champville. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 21+2reb+6ast, K.Zeinoun 14+9reb, E.Kikanovic 13+10reb+1ast, S.Sakakini 12+9reb+2ast, M.Harris 10+6reb+1ast, H.Gyokchyan 9+2reb+1ast
Homentmen: G.Hadidian 22+8reb+2ast, D.Jackson 20+7reb+4ast, J.Salem 16+7reb+3ast, J.Khalil 15+5reb+6ast, G.Chivichyan 13+4reb+1ast, W.Hodge 10+2reb+6ast

Beirut Club - Antranik 93-92

Eighth-ranked Antranik (1-5) gave a tough game to second ranked Beirut Club (5-1). Beirut Club managed to secure only one-point victory 93-92. However their fans expected much easier game. Beirut Club players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Ali Mezher (182-1994) supported him with 13 points, 14 assists and 4 steals. Even a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds by Guy Atamian did not help to save the game for Antranik. American forward Jordan Bruner (208-1997, college: Alabama, agency: Diamond Sports) added 25 points and 12 rebounds. Five Beirut Club and four Antranik players scored in double figures. Beirut Club maintains second position with 5-1 record behind leader Sagesse. Antranik lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with Mayrouba and NSA. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Antranik: A.Guy 27+10reb+3ast, J.Bruner 25+12reb+2ast, C.Harvey 17+6reb+6ast, A.Kopaly 16+4reb+2ast, F.Pierre 5+1reb+1ast, N.Jimmy 2+4reb
Beirut Club: C.Alexander 20+12reb, S.El Darwich 19+4reb+1ast, T.Mitchell 16+5reb+4ast, A.Mezher 13+2reb+14ast, D.Tucker 11+6reb+2ast, J.Jarrouge 9+4reb+1ast

Mayrouba - Antonine 63-65

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Antonine and 8th ranked Mayrouba had identical 1-4 record. But Mayrouba was not able to use a home court advantage and was edged by the opponent from 65-63 on Thursday night. Antonine dominated down low during the game scoring 40 of its points in the paint compared to Mayrouba's 20. The best player for the winners was Azerbaijani-American guard Jordan Davis (188-1997, college: N.Colorado) who scored 31 points and 6 assists. Bassil Daniel chipped in 6 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Dominique Sutton (193-1986, college: NCCU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import Dylan Smith (196-1997, college: Arizona, agency: Hendrix Sports Management) added 14 points respectively. Antonine (2-4) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hoops. Mayrouba lost fourth consecutive game. Mayrouba at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth position with five games lost. They share it with Antranik and NSA. Antonine will meet at home bottom-ranked NSA (#10) in the next round. Mayrouba will play against Antranik in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mayrouba: D.Sutton 21+11reb+1ast, D.Smith 14+4reb+2ast, M.Hijazi 9+2reb+4ast, K.Christophe 8+7reb, H.Abdallah 8+6reb+2ast, J.Assi 3
Antonine: J.Davis 31+3reb+6ast, D.Peter 15+2reb, M.Bryan 10+3reb+1ast, D.Bassil 6+14reb+4ast, L.Ross 2+8reb+1ast, B.Elio 1+1reb

Champville - Hoops 85-78

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Champville's (4-2) home victory over 6th ranked Hoops (2-4) 85-78 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was American forward Jamel Artis (201-1993, college: Pittsburgh, agency: BIG) who scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. The other American import guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn, agency: Haylett Sports) chipped in 20 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) who recorded 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international swingman Mark Al-Khoury (196-1998) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Hoops' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Champville moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Homentmen. Hoops at the other side keep the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with Antonine. Champville will meet league's leader Sagesse in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hoops will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hoops: J.Jones 27+7reb+4ast, M.Lewis 19+4reb+2ast, M.Al-Khoury 12+12reb+1ast, R.Hansen 9+8reb+3ast, S.Alaa 7, S.Abed 3+1reb
Champville: J.Artis 21+6reb+2ast, J.Blake 20+4reb+3ast, I.Thomas 13+11reb+2ast, P.Abboud 9+12reb+5ast, G.Salibi 7+2reb+1ast, J.Aby Khers 6+3reb+1ast

NSA - Sagesse 59-77

LBL top team - Sagesse (6-0) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they beat tenth ranked NSA (1-5) 77-59. Sagesse outrebounded NSA 43-26 including 31 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). International guard Omar Jamaleddine (193-2000, college: SLC) chipped in 9 points and 11 rebounds. Sagesse's coach Jad El Hajj 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 American forward Calvin Godfrey (204-1990, college: Memphis) who recorded 17 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Brian Holmes (185-1991, college: Georgia South) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Sagesse have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Newly promoted NSA stay at the bottom place with five games lost. They share the position with Mayrouba and Antranik. Sagesse will meet at home Champville (#4) in the next round. NSA will play against Antonine (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
NSA: B.Holmes 17+5reb+3ast, C.Godfrey 17+9reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 10+4reb+6ast, E.Helou Hicham 8+3reb, D.Newton 7+4reb+2ast, D.Kevin 0
Sagesse: P.Jackson 24+5reb+6ast, A.Ibrahim 13+4reb, R.Slimane 12+3reb, O.Jamaleddine 9+11reb+2ast, A.Abdel Massih 6+2ast, M.Rudy 5