WLBL Round 1 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi take a leadership position

The Regular Season in WLBL just started. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Al Riyadi defeated Damour in Beirut 95-79. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Damour's 38. They outrebounded Damour 43-21 including a 34-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Sarah Boothe (195-1990, college: Stanford) who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international Rebecca Akl (170-1992) contributed with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American Sonia Smith (170, college: GMU) answered with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Damour. Damour's coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Damour will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against Almtayleb on the road.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Antranik in Beirut. Hosts were rolled over by Al Riyadi 82-52. The former international Rebecca Akl (170-1992) stepped up and scored 20 points for the winners and Maria Ghaleb chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American center Jillian Hollingshead (196-2003, college: Tennessee) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Antranik's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Al Riyadi will play against Almtayleb in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Antranik will play against Almtayleb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Antelias supposed to be also quite interesting. Damour played at the court of Homentmen. Homentmen smashed Damour 86-52 on Thursday. American players dominated the game. Angel Baker nailed 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Alexa Hart came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for Damour in the defeat. Damour's coach already knew that her team would not have a big chance, so allowed to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Homentmen will meet at home Bkennaya in the next round. Damour will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 1 Azour smashed Almtayleb on the road 89-59. Beirut FC won against NSA on its own court 62-57.

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.

Antranik - Al Riyadi 52-82

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Antranik in Beirut. Hosts were rolled over by Al Riyadi 82-52. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Antranik's 28. Al Riyadi forced 19 Antranik turnovers and outrebounded them 46-35 including 33 on the defensive glass. Antranik was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international Rebecca Akl (170-1992) stepped up and scored 20 points for the winners and international Maria Ghaleb (183-2001, college: WBU) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American center Jillian Hollingshead (196-2003, college: Tennessee) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Kennedi Williams (170, college: Oregon) scored 14 points and 6 assists. Antranik's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Al Riyadi will play against Almtayleb in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Antranik will play against Almtayleb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Rebecca 20+4reb+3ast, M.Ghaleb 16+9reb+1ast, M.Naassan 14+4reb+3ast, N.Labban 9+5reb+2ast, B.Sarah 9+7reb+4ast, C.El 6+7reb
Antranik: H.Jillian 17+11reb+3ast, W.Kennedi 14+3reb+6ast, C.Aya 8, H.Joudy 5+7reb, A.Andrea 3+1reb+2ast, A.Tatianna 2+4reb+2ast

Almtayleb - Azour 59-89

But Almtayleb was not able to use a home court advantage and was crushed by the opponent from 89-59 on Thursday night. Azour dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Almtayleb's 26. They outrebounded Almtayleb 61-18 including a 23-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Azour looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Elissa Grissett nailed a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side and the former international Tina Raffoul (180-1998) accounted for 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Four Azour players scored in double figures. American Aliyah Matharu (170-2001, college: Baylor) came up with 21 points and guard Mathilda Khalil added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for Almtayleb 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. Azour will meet at home Lebanese U18 in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Almtayleb will play against Al Riyadi and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Azour: E.Grissett 28+14reb+4ast, T.Raffoul 21+12reb+10ast, Z.Elias 15+12reb+3ast, P.Assadourian 15+3reb+1ast, M.Farraj 5+2reb, M.Saneh 3+6reb
Almtayleb: M.Aliyah 21+4reb+2ast, K.Mathilda 19+5ast, A.Hernandez 8+7reb+3ast, M.Jane 5+1reb, C.Nour 4+5reb+1ast, E.Hany Taline 2+1reb

Homentmen A. - Damour 86-52

The game in Antelias supposed to be also quite interesting. Damour played at the court of Homentmen. Homentmen smashed Damour 86-52 on Thursday. Homentmen dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Damour's 22. They outrebounded Damour 48-26 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Damour's players. American players dominated the game. Center Angel Baker (173-2000, college: Ole Miss) nailed 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and LaDazhia Williams (193-1998, college: LSU) accounted for 15 points and 12 rebounds. Four Homentmen A. players scored in double figures. Alexa Hart (190-1995, college: Ohio St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and Sonia Smith (170, college: GMU) added 17 points and 8 assists respectively for Damour in the defeat. Damour's coach already knew that her team would not have a big chance, so allowed to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Homentmen will meet at home Bkennaya in the next round. Damour will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Homentmen A.: B.Angel 22+7reb+5ast, F.Daniella 19+6reb+2ast, W.LaDazhia 15+12reb+3ast, M.Torossian 13+2reb+2ast, G.Saad 7+3reb+3ast, G.El 6+4reb+3ast
Damour: A.Hart 20+11reb+1ast, S.Smith 17+2reb+8ast, S.Nathalie 6+1reb+1ast, F.Claritta 3, S.Rana 3+7reb, C.Magalie 3+1reb

Beirut FC - NSA 62-57

Beirut FC used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from 62-57 on Friday night. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Beirut FC made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. American Chyna Cornwell (190-2001, college: Rutgers) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 21 rebounds for the winning side and Maryam Jomaa (165-2003, agency: BIG) accounted for 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Ukrainian center Olesia Malashenko (191-1991) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and American De'Myla Brown (170, college: Missouri) added 20 points and 4 assists respectively for NSA in the defeat. Beirut FC will meet Bkennaya in the next round. NSA will play against Homentmen and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Beirut FC: C.Chyna 20+21reb+1ast, J.Maryam 16+5reb+5ast, D.Kahlajah 16+6reb+3ast, R.Krikorian 8+1reb, L.Mosleh 2+7reb+1ast, T.Barsakhian 0
NSA: D.Brown 20+4reb+4ast, O.Malashenko 15+14reb+3ast, F.Siritta 13+9reb+3ast, M.Nancy 7+5reb+2ast, K.Erica 1+3reb+4ast, H.Lucianna 1+1reb+1ast

Al Riyadi - Damour 95-79

Al Riyadi defeated Damour in Beirut 95-79. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Damour's 38. They outrebounded Damour 43-21 including a 34-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Sarah Boothe (195-1990, college: Stanford) who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international Rebecca Akl (170-1992) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American Sonia Smith (170, college: GMU) answered with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import Alexa Hart (190-1995, college: Ohio St.) added 17 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Damour. Four Al Riyadi and five Damour players scored in double figures. Damour's coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Damour will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against Almtayleb on the road.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: B.Sarah 27+7reb+6ast, M.Naassan 20+3reb+8ast, A.Rebecca 17+14reb+7ast, M.Ghaleb 11+3reb+2ast, L.Italee 8+2reb+3ast, M.Barakat 6+1reb
Damour: S.Smith 19+5reb+6ast, A.Hart 17+5reb+1ast, S.Rana 11+3reb+4ast, S.Nathalie 11+4reb+6ast, K.Tala 10+1reb+2ast, K.Carine 4+1ast