LBL Round 21 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi keep a leadership position

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in LBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Al Riyadi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Riyadi smashed 5th ranked Antonine in Beirut 99-72. Al Riyadi forced 21 Antonine turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was international guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who scored 29 points. Croatian center Marin Maric (211-1994, college: DePaul, agency: BIG) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) who recorded 19 points and 5 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 (17-1) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Antonine at the other side keeps the fifth place with ten games lost. Antonine will play next round against strong Homentmen trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Maristes in Dik El Mehdi.
Sixth-ranked Antranik (8-12) made lots of trouble for second ranked Al Riyadi (17-1) in Beirut. The visitors managed to secure only three-point victory 92-89. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a good game for the former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Thon Maker contributed with 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Al Riyadi's coach Ahmad Farran allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) answered with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals for Antranik. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Al Riyadi. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Antranik lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth place with 12 games lost. Al Riyadi will play against Maristes (#8) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Antranik will have a break next round.

Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Markaziyyah defeated Mayrouba in Jounieh 103-85. Tadamon was beaten by Sagesse at home 91-104. Mayrouba was destroyed by Sagesse on the opponent's court 93-74.
The best stats of 21th round was 31 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by Zach Lofton of Sagesse.



Mayrouba - Al Markaziyyah 85-103

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Mayrouba (6-13) was defeated at home by eleventh ranked Al Markaziyyah (7-11) 103-85. Al Markaziyyah made 25-of-31 charity shots (80.6 percent) during the game, while Mayrouba only scored seven points from the stripe. Al Markaziyyah players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. It was a good game for American guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with 28 points and 6 assists. Elie Ghaleb (-1994) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Al Markaziyyah players scored in double figures. American forward Tim Dalger (201, college: St.Louis) answered with 43 points (!!!) and 5 assists and the other American import forward Kahlil Thomas (203-1994, college: Rider) added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Mayrouba. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Maristes and Hoops. Mayrouba at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Al Markaziyyah will play against Tadamon (#10) in Hrajel in the next round. Mayrouba will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 28+4reb+6ast, R.Brown 22+4reb+6ast, E.Ghaleb 21+12reb+2ast, K.Wooten Jr. 15+10reb, J.Zaloum 7+4reb+9ast, M.Hijazi 4+3reb
Mayrouba: T.Dalger 43+4reb+5ast, K.Thomas 12+6reb+2ast, J.Nelson 8+3reb+5ast, K.Salam 6+1reb+3ast, A.Koubba 5+2reb, J.Nakhle 5+10reb+1ast

Tadamon - Sagesse 91-104

No shocking result in a game in Hrajel where third ranked Sagesse (16-2) defeated 10th ranked Tadamon (7-12) 104-91. Sagesse players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists. It was a good game for American power forward Johnny OBryant III (207-1993, college: LSU, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds. Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) contributed with 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Sagesse's coach Linos Gavriel allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. George Daaboul answered with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists and American forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Tadamon. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Sagesse. They maintain third place with 16-2 record behind leader Al Riyadi. Newly promoted Tadamon keeps the tenth position with 12 games lost. Sagesse will play against bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tadamon will play against Al Markaziyyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: J.O'Bryant III 25+11reb+3ast, C.Lalanne 22+9reb+1ast, O.Jamaleddine 13+6reb+5ast, A.Abdel Massih 13+2reb+8ast, G.Hadidian 13+4reb, M.Khoueiry 8+3reb+5ast
Tadamon: G.Daaboul 24+6reb+11ast, N.Stover 20+7reb+6ast, R.Hansen 16+9reb+2ast, A.Ekkewi 16+6reb+1ast, U.McLean 15+3reb+6ast, M.Chouman 0

Al Riyadi - Antonine 99-72

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Al Riyadi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Riyadi smashed 5th ranked Antonine in Beirut 99-72. Al Riyadi forced 21 Antonine turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was international guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who scored 29 points. Croatian center Marin Maric (211-1994, college: DePaul, agency: BIG) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) who recorded 19 points and 5 rebounds and the former international center Jean Makhlouf (203-2003) added 11 points and 10 rebounds respectively. 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 (17-1) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Antonine at the other side keeps the fifth place with ten games lost. Antonine will play next round against strong Homentmen trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Maristes in Dik El Mehdi.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 29+3reb+3ast, M.Maric 14+6reb+3ast, B.Tabbara 10+7reb, A.Mansour 9+3reb+7ast, M.Georges-Hunt 8+3reb, K.Zeinoun 8+2reb+4ast
Antonine: K.Murphy 19+5reb, B.Mansour 14+2reb+4ast, J.Makhlouf 11+10reb+3ast, K.Roach II 9+2reb+3ast, M.Watkins 9+9reb+4ast, M.Abi-Kheres 5+4reb

Antranik - Al Riyadi 89-92

Sixth-ranked Antranik (8-12) made lots of trouble for second ranked Al Riyadi (17-1) in Beirut. The visitors managed to secure only three-point victory 92-89. However their fans expected much easier game. Al Riyadi forced 21 Antranik turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a good game for the former international forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Al Riyadi's coach Ahmad Farran allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) answered with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals and American forward Anthony Fairley (205-1999, college: Miles, agency: BIG) added 15 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Antranik. Four Al Riyadi and five Antranik players scored in double figures. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Al Riyadi. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Antranik lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth place with 12 games lost. Al Riyadi will play against Maristes (#8) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Antranik will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: H.Gyokchyan 25+12reb+1ast, M.Georges-Hunt 19+7reb+1ast, T.Maker 17+11reb+2ast, M.Maric 12+6reb+1ast, K.Zeinoun 7+1reb+7ast, W.Arakji 6
Antranik: S.Nelson 24+8reb+8ast, J.Abou Samra 15+3reb+3ast, A.Fairley 15+12reb+1ast, T.Criswell 14+8reb+1ast, R.Moussa 12+5reb+4ast, A.Kopaly 7+1reb+1ast

Sagesse - Mayrouba 93-74

Very expected game in Beirut where 11th ranked Mayrouba (6-13) was rolled over by third ranked Sagesse (16-2) 93-74. Sagesse players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a good game for American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) contributed with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Tim Dalger (201, college: St.Louis) answered with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Kahlil Thomas (203-1994, college: Rider) added 10 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Mayrouba. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Sagesse. They maintain third place with 16-2 record behind leader Al Riyadi. Mayrouba at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Sagesse will play against bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mayrouba will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 31+8reb+4ast, C.Lalanne 16+7reb+4ast, J.O'Bryant III 14+8reb+1ast, J.Khatib 13+5reb+1ast, J.Khalil 5+1reb+3ast, M.Khoueiry 5+4reb+5ast
Mayrouba: A.Koubba 20+4reb+3ast, J.Nelson 20+4reb+3ast, T.Dalger 17+8reb+5ast, K.Thomas 10+14reb+6ast, G.Rizk 5+9reb+1ast, K.Salam 2+3reb