WLBL Round 6 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi edge Club Beirut by two points

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game of round 6 in the WLBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th ranked Club Beirut (5-3) to second ranked Al Riyadi (7-1) 63-61 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Club Beirut. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was swingman Quionche Carter (183, college: FGCU) who scored 19 points and 7 rebounds. Forward DaNasia Hood (185-2000, college: Texas St., agency: LBM Management) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Akilah Bethel (183-1993, college: LSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Al Riyadi have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-1 record behind leader Azour. Club Beirut at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Al Riyadi are looking forward to face Sporting B. (#5) in the next round. Club Beirut will play against the league's leader Azour and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Undefeated leader Azour delivered the eighth consecutive victory. This time they crushed 6th ranked Champs (3-5) 80-41. It was a good game for forward Melody Saneh who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Italee Lucas contributed with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Azour's coach Alain Saab felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Tina Stephens (188-1999, college: Troy) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for Champs. Undefeated Azour (8-0) have an impressive six-game winning streak. Newly promoted Azour maintains first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row. Champs lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with five games lost. They share the position with Almtayleb and NSA. Azour will play against Club Beirut (#4) at home in the next round. Champs will play against Almtayleb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Antranik (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 75-70 loss to seventh ranked NSA (3-5) in Beirut on Wednesday evening. Jessica Martino had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. NSA's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Erica Khoury with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. NSA moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Almtayleb and Champs. Loser Antranik still closes the standings with eight games lost. NSA will meet higher ranked Homentmen (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Antranik's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Hoops.

Rest of the games of round 6 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Almtayleb was crushed by NSA in a road game 86-51. Homentmen beat Sporting B. at home 87-82. Almtayleb won against Hoops on the opponent's court 58-54.
The best stats of 6th round was 18 points and 20 rebounds by Daja Woodard of Almtayleb.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

NSA - Almtayleb 86-51

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Almtayleb's (3-5) road loss to seventh ranked NSA (3-5) 51-86 on Saturday. NSA dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Almtayleb's 32 and had 24 for 40 from the free-throw line, while Almtayleb only scored seven points from the stripe. NSA forced 20 Almtayleb turnovers and outrebounded them 60-37 including a 45-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. NSA looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Jessica Martino (178-2000, college: Delaware St.) had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Ukrainian Olesia Malashenko (191-1991) chipped in 21 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Jemimah Ashby (175-1991, college: Augustana) with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 13 rebounds and her fellow American import forward Daja Woodard (190, college: Jackson St.) scored 6 points and 8 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. NSA moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Almtayleb and Champs. NSA will meet higher ranked Homentmen (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Almtayleb will play against Champs and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Almtayleb: J.Ashby 28+13reb+1ast, D.Woodard 6+8reb+1ast, L.Kamel 5+4reb, M.Khalil 4+2ast, L.Bou Mansour 3+2reb, M.Noujeim 3
NSA: J.Martino 33+14reb+1ast, O.Malashenko 21+20reb+5ast, S.Hachem 8+1reb+2ast, S.Abdo 5+3reb+3ast, T.Kambriss 5+1reb+3ast, L.Hachem 4+1reb

Club Beirut - Al Riyadi 61-63

The most exciting game of round 6 in the WLBL took place in Beirut. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th ranked Club Beirut (5-3) to second ranked Al Riyadi (7-1) 63-61 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Club Beirut. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was swingman Quionche Carter (183, college: FGCU) who scored 19 points and 7 rebounds. Forward DaNasia Hood (185-2000, college: Texas St., agency: LBM Management) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Akilah Bethel (183-1993, college: LSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds and guard Shaqwedia Wallace (175-1989, college: Temple, agency: LBM Management) added 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals respectively. Al Riyadi have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-1 record behind leader Azour. Club Beirut at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Al Riyadi are looking forward to face Sporting B. (#5) in the next round. Club Beirut will play against the league's leader Azour and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Club Beirut: A.Bethel 25+12reb+3ast, S.Wallace 16+7reb+4ast, Z.Elias 9+14reb, L.Abi Ghosn 6+1reb, M.Jomaa 5+2reb+2ast, L.Massoud 0
Al Riyadi: Q.Carter 19+7reb+2ast, D.Hood 13+7reb+5ast, M.Torossian 11+4reb, R.El Ghali 10+5reb+2ast, N.Labban 4+2reb, R.Akl 3+5reb+7ast

Azour - Champs 80-41

Undefeated leader Azour delivered the eighth consecutive victory. This time they crushed 6th ranked Champs (3-5) 80-41. Azour held Champs to an opponent 22.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 44.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Azour forced 26 Champs turnovers and outrebounded them 54-34 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for forward Melody Saneh who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. American-Angolan guard Italee Lucas (172-1989, college: UNC) contributed with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Five Azour players scored in double figures. Azour's coach Alain Saab felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Tina Stephens (188-1999, college: Troy) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and Pia Khattar added 15 points in the effort for Champs. Azour (8-0) have an impressive six-game winning streak. Newly promoted Azour maintains first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row. Champs lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with five games lost. They share the position with Almtayleb and NSA. Azour will play against Club Beirut (#4) at home in the next round. Champs will play against Almtayleb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Champs: P.Khattar 15+4reb+1ast, T.Stephens 12+12reb, E.Ghnatios 4+3reb+3ast, J.Griffith-Wallace 3+1reb+6ast, N.Maalouf 3+8reb, C.Rbeiz 2+1reb
Azour: M.Ghaleb 16+3reb, M.Saneh 14+11reb+1ast, T.Raffoul 13+5reb+4ast, A.Mansour 10+8reb+3ast, I.Lucas 10+7reb+7ast, M.Mokdad 8+7reb+3ast

Homentmen A. - Sporting B. 87-82

No shocking result in a game in Antelias where third ranked Homentmen (6-2) defeated 5th ranked Sporting B. (4-4) 87-82 on Monday. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. American guard Jacaira Allen (180-1998, college: ODU) scored 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Perla Bou Nasr (177-1999) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Homentmen A. players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Senegalese center Madjiguene Sene (197-1994) with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 24 rebounds and American guard Tynice Martin (180-1997, college: WVU) scored 29 points and 6 rebounds. Homentmen maintains third position with 6-2 record having just two points less than leader Azour. Newly promoted Sporting B. keeps the fifth place with four games lost. Homentmen will meet at home NSA (#6) in the next round. Sporting B. will play against the league's second-placed Al Riyadi in Beirut and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sporting B.: T.Martin 29+6reb+3ast, M.Sene 28+24reb+1ast, S.Beddawi 8+3reb+10ast, S.Abboud 8+6reb+1ast, R.Safi 5+5reb, R.Krikorian 4+4reb+3ast
Homentmen A.: J.Allen 22+8reb+6ast, P.Bou Nasr 16+6reb+3ast, D.Fayad 14+5reb+5ast, K.Gavin 13+5reb+5ast, Y.Zeinoun 9+6reb+4ast, P.Assadourian 5+3ast

Antranik - NSA 70-75

Bottom-ranked Antranik (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 75-70 loss to seventh ranked NSA (3-5) in Beirut on Wednesday evening. They made 26-of-34 free shots (76.5 percent) during the game. American forward Jessica Martino (178-2000, college: Delaware St.) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Ukrainian Olesia Malashenko (191-1991) chipped in 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. NSA's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Erica Khoury with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Kai Carter (183-2001, college: Memphis) scored 23 points. NSA moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Almtayleb and Champs. Loser Antranik still closes the standings with eight games lost. NSA will meet higher ranked Homentmen (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Antranik's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Hoops.
Top scorers:
Antranik: K.Carter 23+4reb+3ast, E.Khoury 22+8reb+4ast, J.Harris 12+10reb, J.Feghali 5+6reb+1ast, S.Fakherddine 3+1reb, M.Chahoud 2+7reb+1ast
NSA: J.Martino 22+12reb+1ast, O.Malashenko 19+12reb+4ast, T.Kambriss 11+2reb+3ast, L.Fakih 8+4reb+3ast, S.Hachem 6+3reb+4ast, T.Saide 3+1reb

Hoops - Almtayleb 54-58

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Hoops' (1-7) home loss to eighth ranked Almtayleb (3-5) 54-58 on Wednesday. Almtayleb outrebounded Hoops 46-31 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Daja Woodard (190, college: Jackson St.) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 20 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import swingman Jemimah Ashby (175-1991, college: Augustana) chipped in 23 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Lyndsey Whilby (180-1999, college: KSU) with 25 points and 4 blocks and Serbian center Milena Marjanovic (193-1991) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 16 rebounds. Almtayleb moved-up to sixth place, which they share with NSA and Champs. Hoops lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with seven games lost. Almtayleb will meet at home Champs (#7) in the next round. Hoops' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
Hoops: L.Whilby 25+4reb+2ast, M.Marjanovic 14+16reb, N.Itani 5+4reb+5ast, N.Rtail 4+2reb+1ast, L.Abdallah 4+3reb+2ast, L.Lawand 2+1reb
Almtayleb: J.Ashby 23+11reb+5ast, D.Woodard 18+20reb+2ast, M.Khalil 12+5reb+2ast, J.Mansour 3+5reb, L.El Hachem 2+1reb, M.Noujeim 0