LBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi beat Beirut Club by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 8 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Beirut Club (6-2) to third ranked Al Riyadi (6-2) 81-79 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Beirut Club. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds. American Manny Harris (197-1989, college: Michigan, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Al Riyadi's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for Beirut Club. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Beirut Club. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Sagesse.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#1) and Hoops (#8). Despite it looked like an easy game for Sagesse, those rules do not exist in derby games. It's more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Host Hoops challenged much higher ranked Sagesse giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by four points 75-71. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Ahmad Ibrahim who added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) during the contest. Sagesse's coach Jad El Hajj allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. U.S. Virgin Islands forward Romani Hansen (203-1997, college: Albany) responded with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Undefeated Sagesse (8-0) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row. Hoops lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with six games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
A very close game took place in (derby !!!) between Antranik and NSA. Eighth ranked Antranik (3-5) got a very close victory on the road over 10th ranked NSA (1-7). Antranik managed to escape with a 3-point win 73-70 on Friday evening. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by Jamir Coleman who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds. Even a double-double of 29 points and 14 rebounds by Calvin Godfrey did not help to save the game for NSA. Antranik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Antonine. NSA lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with seven games lost. They share it with Mayrouba. Antranik will meet at home higher ranked Champville (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. NSA will play against Homentmen (#5) in Beirut and hope to win that game.

In the last two games of round 8 Homentmen beat Mayrouba on the road 81-77. Champville won against Antonine on its own court 81-73.
The most impressive performance of 8th round was 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals by Jordan Davis of Antonine.



Al Riyadi - Beirut Club 81-79

The most exciting game of round 8 in the LBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Beirut Club (6-2) to third ranked Al Riyadi (6-2) 81-79 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Beirut Club. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds. American Manny Harris (197-1989, college: Michigan, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Al Riyadi's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and the former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Beirut Club. Five Beirut Club players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Beirut Club. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Sagesse.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: M.Harris 22+5reb+1ast, E.Kikanovic 22+9reb+1ast, W.Arakji 13+6reb+8ast, A.Mansour 7+1reb, K.Zeinoun 7+2reb+2ast, H.Gyokchyan 6+2reb+1ast
Beirut Club: C.Alexander 24+12reb, S.El Darwich 14+5reb+4ast, M.Haidar 14+7reb+4ast, D.Tucker 12+2reb+4ast, A.Mezher 11+10ast, N.Rabay 4+3reb

NSA - Antranik 70-73

A very close game took place in (derby !!!) between Antranik and NSA. Eighth ranked Antranik (3-5) got a very close victory on the road over 10th ranked NSA (1-7). Antranik managed to escape with a 3-point win 73-70 on Friday evening. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by forward Jamir Coleman (201-1997, college: CCSU, agency: Haylett Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds and guard Christian Harvey (185, college: Marian, IN) supported him with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Four Antranik players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 29 points and 14 rebounds by forward Calvin Godfrey (204-1990, college: Memphis) did not help to save the game for NSA. Guard Brian Halums (196-1997, college: UAFS) added 26 points and 4 assists for the hosts. Antranik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Antonine. NSA lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with seven games lost. They share it with Mayrouba. Antranik will meet at home higher ranked Champville (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. NSA will play against Homentmen (#5) in Beirut and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Antranik: J.Coleman 25+15reb+1ast, C.Harvey 22+5reb, A.Kopaly 10+3reb+2ast, J.Bruner 10+12reb+3ast, S.Alaaeddine 3+3reb+3ast, L.Leonel 3+1reb
NSA: C.Godfrey 29+14reb+2ast, B.Halums 26+4reb+4ast, D.Newton 12+3reb+3ast, J.Zaloum 3+4reb+4ast, D.Kevin 0, S.Charbel 0

Hoops - Sagesse 71-75

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#1) and Hoops (#8). Despite it looked like an easy game for Sagesse, those rules do not exist in derby games. It's more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Host Hoops challenged much higher ranked Sagesse giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by four points 75-71. Sagesse made 19-of-21 charity shots (90.5 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-1992, college: Rice) who added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) during the contest. Sagesse's coach Jad El Hajj allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. U.S. Virgin Islands forward Romani Hansen (203-1997, college: Albany) responded with 18 points and 8 rebounds and American point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) scored 16 points and 8 assists. Four Hoops players scored in double figures. Sagesse (8-0) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row. Hoops lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with six games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: P.Jackson 23+6reb+5ast, A.Ibrahim 17+6reb+4ast, K.Ezzeddine 8+3reb+2ast, A.Majok 7+4reb, M.Khoueiry 6+5reb+1ast, B.Harfouch 6+3reb
Hoops: R.Hansen 18+8reb+3ast, J.Jones 16+3reb+8ast, M.Al-Khoury 16+7reb, I.Haddad 11+6reb+2ast, S.Jason 6+4reb+1ast, A.Jamal Omar 2+2reb

Mayrouba - Homentmen 77-81

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Homentmen (5-3) beat on the road 9th ranked Mayrouba (1-7) 81-77 on Friday. The winners were led by American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) who scored that evening 25 points and 6 rebounds and Armenian guard Gary Chivichyan (193-1996, college: Pacific) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) did not help to save the game for Mayrouba. American guard Dashaun Wiggins (188-1991, college: Portland St.) added 19 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Homentmen moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Champville. Mayrouba lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with seven games lost. They share it with NSA. Homentmen will meet at home bottom-ranked NSA (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Mayrouba will play against Beirut Club and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: D.Jackson 25+6reb+2ast, G.Chivichyan 17+5reb+1ast, A.Tanios 12+2reb, G.Ajemian 9+2reb, G.Hadidian 9+12reb+1ast, W.Hodge 7+4reb+9ast
Mayrouba: K.Christophe 21+6reb+3ast, D.Wiggins 19+7reb+3ast, D.Sutton 16+6reb+1ast, K.Amir 9+3reb, H.Abdallah 4+4reb, M.Mehio 3+1reb+2ast

Champville - Antonine 81-73

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Antonine's (3-5) road loss to fifth ranked Champville (5-3) in Dik El Mehdi 73-81 on Sunday. Champville outrebounded Antonine 53-35 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by American guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn, agency: Haylett Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Jamel Artis (201-1993, college: Pittsburgh, agency: BIG) supported him with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals by Azerbaijani-American guard Jordan Davis (188-1997, college: N.Colorado) did not help to save the game for Antonine. Bassil Daniel added 11 points and 13 rebounds for the guests. Champville moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Homentmen. Newly promoted Antonine keeps the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Antranik. Champville will meet Antranik (#6) in the next round. Antonine will play against Hoops and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Champville: J.Blake 25+13reb+5ast, J.Artis 23+9reb+5ast, I.Thomas 14+15reb+2ast, G.Salibi 8+4reb+1ast, M.Lomayo 5+1reb+2ast, P.Abboud 3+6reb
Antonine: J.Davis 37+8reb+4ast, D.Bassil 11+13reb+2ast, K.Assi 10+8reb, M.Abi-Kheres 6+2reb+1ast, G.Beyrouty 5+3reb+3ast, J.Makhlouf 2