LBL Round 7 (Regular Season): Antranik is defeated by Al Riyadi in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Antranik (#4). Al Riyadi (7-0) crushed visiting Antranik (5-2) by 18 points 103-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Antranik. Al Riyadi shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 62.5 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American swingman George King (198-1994, college: Colorado, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 44 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (perfect behind the arc making all eight shots !!!). Spanish center Ilimane Diop (210-1995) helped adding 12 points and 11 rebounds. At the losing side American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) responded with 25 points and 6 assists. Undefeated Al Riyadi have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record, which they share with Sagesse. Antranik at the other side keeps the fourth position with two games lost. Al Riyadi is looking forward to face Maristes (#7) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Antranik's supporters also look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Hoops has finally registered their first victory this season after six consecutive losses. The win is especially important as they outplayed much higher ranked Homentmen (3-4) 109-81. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Abayomi Iyiola accounted for 20 points and 12 rebounds. American forward DJ Kennedy (198-1989, college: St.John's) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds for Homentmen in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hoops (1-6) left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with Tadamon. Homentmen at the other side dropped to the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Hoops will play against Tadamon (#11) in Hrajel in the next round. Homentmen will play at home against Antonine (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Mayrouba was also quite interesting. Leader Sagesse (7-0) played at the court of 5th ranked Mayrouba (3-4). Sagesse did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 100-83 on Friday. Zach Lofton fired a double-double by scoring 30 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners. Sagesse's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. James Padgett produced a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds for lost side. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Sagesse. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Mayrouba lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Sagesse will meet bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Mayrouba will play against Al Markaziyyah (#8) in Jounieh and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 7 Tadamon was destroyed by Al Markaziyyah on the opponent's court 105-82. Antonine unfortunately lost to Maristes in a home game 79-90.



Al Markaziyyah - Tadamon 105-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Tadamon's (1-6) road loss to ninth ranked Al Markaziyyah (3-4) 82-105 on Wednesday. Al Markaziyyah dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Tadamon's 34. They outrebounded Tadamon 40-29 including 27 on the defensive glass. American forward Tyree Corbett (201-2000, college: Denver) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. His fellow American import guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 30 points and 5 rebounds. Four Al Markaziyyah players scored in double figures. American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) produced 29 points and 9 rebounds and Croatian power forward Josip Mikulic (215-1993, college: Fairfield, agency: Interperformances) added 21 points respectively for lost side. Tadamon's coach Ghassan Sarkis gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Tadamon lost their fourth game in a row. Tadamon at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the tenth position with six games lost. They share it with Hoops. Al Markaziyyah will meet at home Mayrouba (#6) in the next round. Tadamon will play against Hoops (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: U.McLean 29+9reb+2ast, J.Mikulic 21+4reb+2ast, D.Spencer 15+2reb+4ast, G.Daaboul 8+3reb+6ast, A.Ekkewi 5+3reb+3ast, M.Ziadeh 4+5reb
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 30+5reb, T.Corbett 24+10reb+4ast, K.Wooten Jr. 19+10reb, A.Nabaa 11+3reb, J.Zaloum 11+2reb+11ast, E.Ghaleb 8+6reb+2ast

Al Riyadi - Antranik 103-85

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Antranik (#4). Al Riyadi (7-0) crushed visiting Antranik (5-2) by 18 points 103-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Antranik. Al Riyadi shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 62.5 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American swingman George King (198-1994, college: Colorado, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 44 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (perfect behind the arc making all eight shots !!!). Spanish center Ilimane Diop (210-1995) helped adding 12 points and 11 rebounds. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) responded with 25 points and 6 assists and American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Al Riyadi have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record, which they share with Sagesse. Antranik at the other side keeps the fourth position with two games lost. Al Riyadi is looking forward to face Maristes (#7) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Antranik's supporters also look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Antranik: S.Nelson 25+4reb+6ast, T.Criswell 21+6reb+3ast, A.Fairley 20+3reb+3ast, R.Moussa 9+11reb+5ast, J.Abou Samra 4+1reb+4ast, E.Sebaaly 4+1reb
Al Riyadi: G.King 44+5reb+3ast, A.Saoud 12+3reb+6ast, I.Diop 12+11reb, W.Arakji 10+1reb+7ast, I.Ahmad 9+7reb, H.Gyokchyan 6+4ast

Hoops - Homentmen 109-81

Hoops has finally registered their first victory this season after six consecutive losses. The win is especially important as they outplayed much higher ranked Homentmen (3-4) 109-81. Hoops made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Hoops outrebounded Homentmen 41-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. Hoops players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Nigerian-American center Abayomi Iyiola (208-1998, college: Kansas St.) accounted for 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. Four Hoops players scored in double figures. American forward DJ Kennedy (198-1989, college: St.John's) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds and Armenian guard Gabriel Ajemian (193-1998, college: Compton) added 20 points respectively for Homentmen in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hoops (1-6) left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with Tadamon. Homentmen at the other side dropped to the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Hoops will play against Tadamon (#11) in Hrajel in the next round. Homentmen will play at home against Antonine (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: D.Kennedy 24+14reb+2ast, G.Ajemian 20+1reb+1ast, G.Chivichyan 13+2reb+3ast, Y.Alok 9+7reb+4ast, J.Stevens 5+1reb+7ast, J.Soufan 4+1ast
Hoops: D.Dixson 37+15reb+1ast, A.Iyiola 20+12reb+3ast, A.English 14+1reb+12ast, A.Sabbagh 12+1reb+2ast, J.Jarrouge 9+7reb+1ast, T.Akiki 6+2reb

Antonine - Maristes 79-90

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Maristes and 8th ranked Antonine had identical 2-4 record. But Antonine was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Dik El Mehdi 90-79 on Friday night. Maristes outrebounded Antonine 43-31 including 32 on the defensive glass. Maristes looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) fired a double-double by scoring 32 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Forward AJ John (202-1996, college: UC Davis, agency: MSG) chipped in 24 points and 9 rebounds. Point guard Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) produced 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) added 23 points respectively for lost side. Maristes (3-4) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Antonine dropped to the ninth position with five games lost. Maristes will meet at home league's leader Al Riyadi in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Antonine will play against Homentmen (#5) in Beirut and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Antonine: K.Roach II 26+8reb+6ast, K.Murphy 23+3reb+2ast, M.Watkins 15+10reb+2ast, A.Assi 4+2reb+1ast, P.Abboud 4+2reb+3ast, M.Martinez 4+1reb
Maristes: H.Sims 32+13reb+5ast, A.John 24+9reb+2ast, K.Ezzeddine 10+10reb+6ast, J.Salem 9+3reb+1ast, J.Gray 8+4reb+11ast, R.Zanbaka 7+1reb

Mayrouba - Sagesse 83-100

The game in Mayrouba was also quite interesting. Leader Sagesse (7-0) played at the court of 5th ranked Mayrouba (3-4). Sagesse did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 100-83 on Friday. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 30 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners. His fellow American import Muhammad Shabazz chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. Sagesse's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American power forward James Padgett (203-1991, college: Maryland) produced a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) added 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Sagesse. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Mayrouba lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Sagesse will meet bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Mayrouba will play against Al Markaziyyah (#8) in Jounieh and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mayrouba: J.Padgett 31+14reb, A.Castillo 23+7reb+4ast, R.Peters 20+4reb+10ast, J.Nakhle 6+7reb+1ast, G.Rizk 3+6reb+1ast, A.Koubba 0
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 30+7reb+13ast, M.Shabazz 19+7reb, O.Jamaleddine 13+4reb+5ast, G.Hadidian 11+6reb, A.Majok 9+9reb, J.Khalil 9+4reb+5ast