LBL Round 16 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi lose to Beirut Club

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in LBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Al Riyadi (14-3) recorded its third loss on the court of third ranked Beirut Club on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Beirut Club 93-83. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Beirut Club dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Riyadi's 38. They outrebounded Al Riyadi 36-24 including 23 on the defensive glass. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. Beirut Club's coach Joe Ghattas used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) produced 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for lost side. Beirut Club maintains third position with 12-5 record having just two points less than leader Al Riyadi. Defending champion Al Riyadi still keeps top place with three games lost. Beirut Club are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Mayrouba (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Riyadi's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Sagesse.
The game in was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Champville (11-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Antonine (7-10). Champville managed to secure a 5-point victory 81-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Antonine. Worth to mention a great performance of Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Gabriel Salibi contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Azerbaijani-American guard Jordan Davis (188-1997, college: N.Colorado) replied with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals for Antonine. Antonine's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Champville maintains fourth position with 11-6 record, which they share with Homentmen. Newly promoted Antonine keeps the seventh place with ten games lost. Champville will play against Antranik (#6) in Beirut in the next round. Antonine will play on the road against Hoops in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Beirut. Local Sagesse (13-4) outscored 9th ranked Hoops (3-14) 97-56 on Saturday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Jonathan Gibson who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side Brachon Griffin responded with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-4 record behind leader Al Riyadi. Hoops lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.

In the last two games of round 16 NSA defeated Antranik in a road game 91-82. Homentmen beat Mayrouba at home 103-89.



Beirut Club - Al Riyadi 93-83

Top ranked Al Riyadi (14-3) recorded its third loss on the court of third ranked Beirut Club on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Beirut Club 93-83. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Beirut Club dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Al Riyadi's 38. They outrebounded Al Riyadi 36-24 including 23 on the defensive glass. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. Five Beirut Club players scored in double figures. Beirut Club's coach Joe Ghattas used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) produced 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and the former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) added 13 points respectively for lost side. Beirut Club maintains third position with 12-5 record having just two points less than leader Al Riyadi. Defending champion Al Riyadi still keeps top place with three games lost. Beirut Club are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Mayrouba (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Riyadi's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Sagesse.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: M.Haidar 20+10reb+2ast, S.El Darwich 18+2reb+3ast, C.Alexander 18+8reb+1ast, D.Tucker 16+3reb+1ast, T.Corbett 12+7reb, A.Mezher 5+1reb+8ast
Al Riyadi: E.Kikanovic 21+5reb+1ast, H.Gyokchyan 13+4reb+2ast, K.Zeinoun 10+2ast, W.Arakji 10+2reb+5ast, A.Mansour 8+2reb+3ast, M.Harris 8+7reb+1ast

Antranik - NSA 82-91

There was a minor upset in Beirut where 6th ranked Antranik (8-9) was defeated by eighth ranked NSA (5-12) 91-82 on Friday. NSA made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Antranik turnovers. NSA looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Byron Wesley (196-1992, college: Gonzaga) who helped to win the game recording 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and American-Palestinian forward Calvin Godfrey (204-1990, college: Memphis) who added 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals during the contest. At the losing side American forward Jamir Coleman (201-1997, college: CCSU, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Christian Harvey (185, college: Marian, IN) scored 22 points and 5 assists. Four NSA and five Antranik players scored in double figures. Newly promoted NSA maintains eighth position with 5-12 record. Antranik at the other side keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. NSA will meet at home higher ranked Homentmen (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Antranik will play against Champville in Dik El Mehdi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NSA: B.Wesley 34+8reb+5ast, D.Newton 20+5reb+4ast, C.Godfrey 16+9reb+7ast, E.Helou Hicham 10+5reb, J.Zaloum 5+3reb+6ast, N.Souaid 4+4reb
Antranik: C.Harvey 22+3reb+5ast, J.Coleman 21+12reb+2ast, J.Bruner 13+11reb+1ast, S.Alaaeddine 11+2reb+1ast, A.Kopaly 11+2ast, N.Jimmy 2+1ast

Homentmen - Mayrouba 103-89

No shocking result in a game in Beirut where fifth ranked Homentmen (11-6) defeated bottom-ranked Mayrouba (1-16) 103-89 on Thursday. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Rwandan center Prince Ibeh (208-1994, college: Texas) who helped to win the game recording 34 points (!!!), 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals and American guard Zach Lofton (193-1993, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) who added 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Four Homentmen players scored in double figures. At the losing side American-New Zealand forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) and South Sudanese-Australian forward Madut Akec (201-1999, college: Detroit) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds. Homentmen moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Champville. Mayrouba lost fifteenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Homentmen will meet NSA (#8) in the next round. Mayrouba will play against Beirut Club and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: P.Ibeh 34+9reb+6ast, G.Hadidian 20+7reb+3ast, Z.Lofton 16+10reb+6ast, J.Khalil 15+4reb+3ast, G.Ajemian 6+3reb+1ast, D.Jackson 5+1reb
Mayrouba: M.Jones 27+15reb+1ast, K.Christophe 27+5reb+3ast, M.Akec 21+12reb+2ast, V.Lewis II 7+1reb+1ast, S.Bechara 5+2reb+1ast, A.Samra Joseph 2+4reb+5ast

Sagesse - Hoops 97-56

The game with biggest result difference took place in Beirut. Local Sagesse (13-4) outscored 9th ranked Hoops (3-14) 97-56 on Saturday night. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Hoops' 24. Sagesse forced 20 Hoops turnovers and outrebounded them 52-34 including a 42-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a quality performance of American point guard Jonathan Gibson (188-1987, college: NM State) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and South Sudanese-Australian center Deng Acuoth (208-1996) who added 16 points and 13 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five Sagesse players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Brachon Griffin (185-1992, college: ECSU) responded with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Alaa Sabbagh (192-2004) scored 10 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-4 record behind leader Al Riyadi. Hoops lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: J.Gibson 23+6reb+4ast, A.Deng 16+13reb, C.Early 15+8reb, A.Ibrahim 12+4reb+1ast, K.Ezzeddine 11+5reb, A.Abdel Massih 8+3reb+2ast
Hoops: B.Griffin 19+9reb+4ast, S.Abed 11+3reb, S.Alaa 10+4reb+1ast, S.Foxbrennen 8+5reb, D.Okeke 6+7reb+1ast, H.Refaat 2

Antonine - Champville 76-81

The game in was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Champville (11-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Antonine (7-10). Champville managed to secure a 5-point victory 81-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Antonine. Champville players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. International guard Gabriel Salibi (203-1997, college: Northeastern St.) contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Five Champville players scored in double figures. Azerbaijani-American guard Jordan Davis (188-1997, college: N.Colorado) replied with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and American power forward Ed Daniel (202-1990, college: Murray St.) added 18 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Antonine. Antonine's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Champville maintains fourth position with 11-6 record, which they share with Homentmen. Newly promoted Antonine keeps the seventh place with ten games lost. Champville will play against Antranik (#6) in Beirut in the next round. Antonine will play on the road against Hoops in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Champville: G.Salibi 17+5reb+5ast, I.Thomas 16+11reb+1ast, J.Artis 16+4reb+4ast, P.Abboud 12+5reb+3ast, J.Blake 10+2reb+7ast, M.Lomayo 6+2reb
Antonine: J.Davis 27+7reb+6ast, E.Daniel 18+11reb+1ast, L.Montero 10+8reb+5ast, J.Makhlouf 6+5reb, A.Anthony 6+2reb+2ast, M.Bryan 6+3reb+2ast