LBL Round 12 (Regular Season): Homentmen beat Antonine by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 7th ranked Antonine (5-8) to fifth ranked Homentmen (8-5) 85-83 on Friday evening. It was a good game for American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import guard Zach Lofton (193-1993, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Bassil Daniel replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for Antonine. Homentmen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 8-5 record. Antonine lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh place with eight games lost. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Homentmen (#5) and Sagesse (#2). Homentmen (8-5) smashed visiting Sagesse (9-3) by 17 points 97-80. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) who helped to win the game recording 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Zach Lofton who added 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) with 20 points and 9 assists. Homentmen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 8-5 record. Sagesse at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with Beirut Club. Homentmen's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Antranik (#6). Antranik was smashed at home by 43 points 57-100 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The winners were led by Hayk Gyokchyan who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 22 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) by Christian Harvey did not help to save the game for Antranik. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Riyadi (11-2) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position. Loser Antranik keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. Al Riyadi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antranik's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Homentmen.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 12: NSA was smashed by Al Riyadi on the road 106-75. Beirut Club won against Hoops on its own court 97-88. NSA unfortunately lost to Champville in Dik El Mehdi 74-87.



Al Riyadi - NSA 106-75

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Al Riyadi (11-2) crushed 8th ranked NSA (3-10) in Beirut 106-75 on Saturday. Al Riyadi shot 60.9 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 58.3 percentage. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by NSA's players. The winners were led by the former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) who scored that evening 19 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and international guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) supported him with 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Al Riyadi's coach Ahmad Farran felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 29 points and 4 assists by American guard Brian Halums (196-1997, college: UAFS) did not help to save the game for NSA. His fellow American import Derick Newton (198-1995, college: Stetson) added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Al Riyadi have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 11-2 record. Newly promoted NSA keeps the eighth place with ten games lost. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut .
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: H.Gyokchyan 19+4reb+6ast, W.Arakji 17+2reb+3ast, E.Kikanovic 14+6reb+1ast, A.Saoud 14+1reb+3ast, A.Mansour 12+5reb+5ast, S.Sakakini 9+5reb+1ast
NSA: B.Halums 29+4reb+4ast, D.Newton 19+10reb+1ast, C.Godfrey 9+7reb+1ast, H.Mike 7+1reb+1ast, N.Souaid 5+2reb+1ast, D.Kevin 3+3reb+2ast

Homentmen - Sagesse 97-80

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Homentmen (#5) and Sagesse (#2). Homentmen (8-5) smashed visiting Sagesse (9-3) by 17 points 97-80. Homentmen dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Sagesse's 38 and made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Homentmen players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) who helped to win the game recording 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Zach Lofton (193-1993, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) who added 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) with 20 points and 9 assists and Tunisian forward Radhouane Slimane (204-1980) scored 11 points and 8 rebounds. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. Homentmen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 8-5 record. Sagesse at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with Beirut Club. Homentmen's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: D.Jackson 33+9reb+4ast, Z.Lofton 27+10reb+6ast, G.Hadidian 14+8reb+2ast, J.Khalil 9+7reb+5ast, G.Ajemian 6+3reb+3ast, J.Salem 4+4reb
Sagesse: J.Gibson 20+4reb+9ast, R.Slimane 11+8reb+1ast, A.Ibrahim 11+3reb+2ast, K.Ezzeddine 10+3reb+1ast, A.Abdel Massih 9+1reb+1ast, M.Khoueiry 9+7reb+4ast

Beirut Club - Hoops 97-88

Very expected game when 9th ranked Hoops (2-10) lost on the road to third ranked Beirut Club (9-3) 97-88 on Tuesday. Beirut Club dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Hoops' 38. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by the former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) supported him with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Even a double-double of 13 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists by American-Nigerian center Duby Okeke (203-1994, college: Nebraska, agency: Interperformances) did not help to save the game for Hoops. American guard Brachon Griffin (185-1992, college: ECSU) added 21 points and 10 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Beirut Club moved-up to second place, which they share with Sagesse. Hoops lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with ten games lost. Beirut Club will meet at home Antonine (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Hoops will play against NSA and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: S.El Darwich 24+3reb+6ast, C.Alexander 24+10reb+1ast, M.Haidar 21+12reb+3ast, D.Tucker 15+3reb+1ast, A.Mezher 5+6reb+10ast, A.Mahmoud 3+1reb+1ast
Hoops: S.Foxbrennen 26+4reb+1ast, B.Griffin 21+3reb+10ast, D.Okeke 13+21reb+5ast, M.Al-Khoury 13+3reb+1ast, I.Haddad 8+3reb+3ast, S.Abed 6+1reb

Antranik - Al Riyadi 57-100

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Antranik (#6). Antranik was smashed at home by 43 points 57-100 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Antranik's 34. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Antranik's players. The winners were led by the former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Palestinian power forward Sani Sakakini (204-1988) supported him with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Even 22 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) by American guard Christian Harvey (185, college: Marian, IN) did not help to save the game for Antranik. Jimmy Nakhle added 4 points and 11 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. Al Riyadi (11-2) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position. Loser Antranik keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. Al Riyadi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antranik's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: H.Gyokchyan 19+10reb+4ast, A.Saoud 19+2reb+1ast, S.Sakakini 17+9reb+2ast, W.Arakji 15+6reb+7ast, A.Mansour 9+1reb+6ast, E.Kikanovic 8+5reb+1ast
Antranik: C.Harvey 22+2reb+1ast, F.Pierre 8, S.Alaaeddine 6+7reb+1ast, E.Ahmad 5+2reb+1ast, J.Coleman 4+3reb+2ast, N.Jimmy 4+11reb

Champville - NSA 87-74

Rather predictable result when fourth ranked Champville (9-4) won against 8th ranked NSA (3-10) in Dik El Mehdi 87-74 on Thursday. Champville looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Champville made 7 blocks. The winners were led by American guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn, agency: Haylett Sports) who scored that evening 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Jamel Artis (201-1993, college: Pittsburgh, agency: BIG) supported him with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Even 21 points and 8 rebounds by American guard Brian Halums (196-1997, college: UAFS) did not help to save the game for NSA. Point guard Joseph Zaloum (180-1990) added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Champville have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 9-4 record. Newly promoted NSA keeps the eighth place with ten games lost. Champville will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. NSA will play against Hoops (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Champville: J.Blake 24+7reb+7ast, J.Artis 23+7reb+3ast, P.Abboud 12+8reb+1ast, I.Thomas 12+8reb+5ast, E.Rustom 8+5reb+3ast, G.Salibi 5+2reb+2ast
NSA: B.Halums 21+8reb+3ast, J.Zaloum 16+9reb+5ast, C.Godfrey 16+7reb+2ast, D.Newton 11+6reb+2ast, H.Mike 5, E.Helou Hicham 5+3reb+2ast

Antonine - Homentmen 83-85

This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 7th ranked Antonine (5-8) to fifth ranked Homentmen (8-5) 85-83 on Friday evening. It was a good game for American forward Dewayne Jackson (203-1990, college: Morgan St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import guard Zach Lofton (193-1993, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four Homentmen players scored in double figures. Bassil Daniel replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and Azerbaijani-American guard Jordan Davis (188-1997, college: N.Colorado) added 28 points and 4 assists in the effort for Antonine. Homentmen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 8-5 record. Antonine lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh place with eight games lost. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: Z.Lofton 24+7reb+4ast, D.Jackson 21+10reb+4ast, G.Hadidian 17+7reb+1ast, G.Ajemian 12+1reb+1ast, E.Egbuta 4+3reb, D.Baghdadian 4+2reb
Antonine: J.Davis 28+4reb+4ast, D.Bassil 16+17reb+4ast, M.Bryan 15+6reb+4ast, Q.Campbell 8+8reb+4ast, M.Abi-Kheres 7+1reb+1ast, A.Anthony 6+2reb+3ast