WLBL Round 1 of Semi-Finals. Club Beirut and Al Riyadi post opening wins

Club Beirut - Champs 61-49

Club Beirut outrebounded Champs 45-28 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Club Beirut made 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Aida Bakhos (178-1986, college: Lamar) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 11 points and 18 rebounds. Forward Melody Saneh contributed with 10 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Four Club Beirut players scored in double figures. American guard Jasmine Carson (178, college: LSU) answered with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Nancy Maalouf (174-1988) added 8 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Champs. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
Club Beirut: M.Simmons 14+1reb, N.Sevadjian 13+6reb+2ast, A.Bakhos 11+18reb, S.Melody 10+9reb+2ast, G.Jocelyne 8+3reb+3ast, M.Mokdad 5+4reb+3ast
Champs: J.Carson 21+6reb+4ast, N.Maalouf 8+6reb+1ast, G.Nour 7+2reb+1ast, G.Elsy 7+4reb+1ast, A.Stephanie 4+4reb+2ast, H.Karen 2

Al Riyadi - Homentmen A. 84-73

Al Riyadi made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. American forward Angela Tompkins (188-1991, college: Wichita St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and the former international point guard Rebecca Akl (170-1992) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 steals. Al Riyadi's coach El Terek Omar allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side Canadian guard Shaina Pellington (173-1999, college: Arizona) responded with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and N Gyokotchian scored 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Tompkins 31+10reb+6ast, R.Akl 18+5reb+11ast, M.Torossian 10+2reb+3ast, C.Saad 9+4reb+1ast, N.Maygen 5+1ast, C.El Charif 4+2reb
Homentmen A.: S.Pellington 30+6reb+6ast, G.N 16+9reb+2ast, N.Perla 10+7reb+3ast, T.Alice 6+2reb, A.Patil 6+3reb+2ast, C.Dima 5+1reb+2ast