LBL Round 7 (Regular Season): Sagesse edge Champville by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 7 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Champville (4-3) to leader Sagesse (7-0) 73-71 on Wednesday evening. Sagesse made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Champville turnovers and had a 19-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-1992, college: Rice) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 11 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Sagesse's coach Jad El Hajj used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn, agency: Haylett Sports) produced 25 points and 8 assists for lost side. Undefeated Sagesse have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-0 record. Champville at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Homentmen. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Hoops.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#2) and Homentmen (#4). Homentmen was defeated at home 82-91 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Homentmen. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Jordanian Dar Tucker (193-1988, college: DePaul) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. Cliff Alexander contributed with 21 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Beirut Club's coach Joe Ghattas allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) answered with 24 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) for Homentmen. The victory was the third consecutive win for Beirut Club. They maintain second place with 6-1 record behind leader Sagesse. Homentmen at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Champville. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#3) and Hoops (#7). Hoops were defeated at home 76-87 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It was a great evening for Ahmad Ismail who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Jesse Jones responded with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains third place with 5-2 record having just two points less than leader Sagesse. Hoops lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Antranik. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.

In the last two games of round 7 Mayrouba was defeated by Antranik in Beirut 86-69. Antonine smashed NSA at home 93-73.



Sagesse - Champville 73-71

The most exciting game of round 7 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Champville (4-3) to leader Sagesse (7-0) 73-71 on Wednesday evening. Sagesse made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Champville turnovers and had a 19-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-1992, college: Rice) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 11 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Sagesse's coach Jad El Hajj used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn, agency: Haylett Sports) produced 25 points and 8 assists and Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) added 23 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Sagesse have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-0 record. Champville at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Homentmen. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Hoops.
Top scorers:
Champville: J.Blake 25+3reb+8ast, I.Thomas 23+9reb+2ast, J.Artis 17+5reb+1ast, P.Abboud 4+9reb+2ast, L.Saleh 2+1reb, S.Peter 0
Sagesse: A.Ibrahim 18+11reb+2ast, P.Jackson 11+4reb+5ast, R.Slimane 10+7reb+2ast, A.Majok 8+6reb, B.Harfouch 6+4reb, A.Abdel Massih 6+3reb+2ast

Antranik - Mayrouba 86-69

Everything could happen in Beirut at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Antranik and 9th ranked Mayrouba had identical 1-5 record. This time Antranik used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Mayrouba 86-69 on Thursday night. Antranik looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Jordan Bruner (208-1997, college: Alabama, agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import guard Christian Harvey (185, college: Marian, IN) helped adding 25 points and 6 assists. Four Antranik players scored in double figures. At the losing side American swingman Dominique Sutton (193-1986, college: NCCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 16 rebounds and the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) scored 22 points and 7 rebounds. Antranik (2-5) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Hoops. Mayrouba lost their fifth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with six games lost. They share it with NSA. Antranik will meet bottom-ranked NSA (#10) in the next round. Mayrouba will play against Homentmen and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Mayrouba: J.Assi 24+4reb, K.Christophe 22+7reb+2ast, D.Sutton 15+16reb+3ast, S.Samuels 5+1reb+2ast, M.Hijazi 2+3reb+2ast, E.Ayoubi Refaat 1+3reb+1ast
Antranik: C.Harvey 25+4reb+6ast, J.Bruner 22+11reb+4ast, A.Kopaly 12+2reb+3ast, J.Coleman 10+7reb+3ast, S.Alaaeddine 5+3reb+3ast, Y.Ghantous 5+1ast

Antonine - NSA 93-73

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Antonine (3-4) smashed at home bottom-ranked NSA (1-6) 93-73 on Friday. Antonine dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to NSA's 32. Antonine forced 20 NSA turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by NSA's players. It was a great evening for Azerbaijani-American guard Jordan Davis (188-1997, college: N.Colorado) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 assists and 5 steals. Bassil Daniel helped adding 23 points and 8 rebounds. Five Antonine players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Brian Holmes (185-1991, college: Georgia South) responded with 27 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Calvin Godfrey (204-1990, college: Memphis) scored 25 points and 7 rebounds. NSA's coach Srdjan Jovanovic rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Newly promoted Antonine maintains sixth place with 3-4 record. NSA at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the bottom position with six games lost. They share it with Mayrouba. Antonine will meet higher ranked Champville (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. NSA will play against Antranik (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NSA: B.Holmes 27+9reb+1ast, C.Godfrey 25+7reb, D.Newton 7+2reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 5+5reb+8ast, H.Mike 5+1reb+1ast, S.Michael 2+1ast
Antonine: D.Bassil 23+8reb+1ast, J.Davis 21+3reb+15ast, G.Beyrouty 14+4reb+2ast, K.Assi 10+2reb+3ast, L.Ross 10+10reb+4ast, M.Bryan 9+4reb

Homentmen - Beirut Club 82-91

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#2) and Homentmen (#4). Homentmen was defeated at home 82-91 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Homentmen. They outrebounded Homentmen 50-33 including 19 on the offensive glass. Beirut Club players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Homentmen was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Jordanian Dar Tucker (193-1988, college: DePaul) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Five Beirut Club players scored in double figures. Beirut Club's coach Joe Ghattas allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) answered with 24 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) and American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) added 19 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Homentmen. The victory was the third consecutive win for Beirut Club. They maintain second place with 6-1 record behind leader Sagesse. Homentmen at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Champville. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: G.Hadidian 24+9reb+1ast, D.Jackson 19+9reb+2ast, W.Hodge 11+2reb+5ast, J.Khalil 8+3reb+2ast, G.Ajemian 7, G.Chivichyan 6+1reb
Beirut Club: D.Tucker 22+13reb+3ast, C.Alexander 21+13reb+1ast, M.Haidar 18+7reb+4ast, S.El Darwich 17+6reb+4ast, A.Mezher 10+7reb+10ast, A.Mahmoud 3+3reb+1ast

Hoops - Al Riyadi 76-87

Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#3) and Hoops (#7). Hoops were defeated at home 76-87 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Hoops' 30. They outrebounded Hoops 45-26 including 30 on the defensive glass. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for naturalized Egyptian power forward Ahmad Ismail (205-1976) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) helped adding 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). At the losing side American point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) responded with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and U.S. Virgin Islands forward Romani Hansen (203-1997, college: Albany) scored 9 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains third place with 5-2 record having just two points less than leader Sagesse. Hoops lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Antranik. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Hoops: J.Jones 21+5reb+7ast, S.Abed 11+4ast, A.Jamal Omar 10+6reb, S.Alaa 10+3reb+1ast, R.Hansen 9+5reb+2ast, S.Jason 6+1ast
Al Riyadi: E.Kikanovic 19+7reb+1ast, S.Sakakini 16+6reb+1ast, M.Harris 14+3reb+2ast, A.Ismail 10+14reb+5ast, H.Gyokchyan 6+4ast, B.Tabbara 5+2reb