WLBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Azour hand first loss to Al Riyadi

What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Riyadi (7-1) in Beirut on Tuesday night. Hosts were edged by third ranked Azour (6-2) 88-85. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Azour made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward LeLe Grissett (188, college: S.Carolina) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. The other American import guard Sabrina Haines (178-1997, college: Kentucky) contributed with 24 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Azour's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American-Angolan guard Italee Lucas (172-1989, college: UNC) replied with 41 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Al Riyadi. Azour have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 6-2 record having just two points less than leader Homentmen A. Defending champion Al Riyadi keeps the second place with one game lost. Azour are looking forward to face Antranik (#4) in Beirut in the next round. Al Riyadi will play on the road against the league's leader Homentmen in Antelias and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game for Bkennaya (3-4) which played in Beirut against 4th ranked Antranik (3-3). Seventh ranked Bkennaya won 63-56. Worth to mention a great performance of Senegalese Aminata Ly (193-2000, college: Fordham) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 24 rebounds and Ify Okoro who added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. American guard Kennedi Williams (170, college: Oregon) responded with 22 points and 4 assists. Bkennaya moved-up to sixth place, which they share with NSA. Antranik at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Beirut FC. Bkennaya will play against Almtayleb (#9) in the next round. Antranik will play against Beirut FC (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in was also quite interesting. Top-ranked Homentmen (8-0) played at the court of 5th ranked Beirut FC (3-3). Homentmen managed to secure a 4-point victory 79-75 on Sunday. The winners were led by Amar Mansour who scored that evening 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 18 points, 21 rebounds and 5 blocks by Chyna Cornwell did not help to save the game for Beirut FC. Undefeated Homentmen have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Newly promoted Beirut FC dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Antranik. Homentmen will meet at home league's second-placed Al Riyadi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Beirut FC will play against Antranik and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 8 NSA beat Almtayleb on the road 81-74.
The most impressive performance of 8th round was 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals by Aliyah Matharu 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.

Beirut FC - Homentmen A. 75-79

The game in was also quite interesting. Top-ranked Homentmen (8-0) played at the court of 5th ranked Beirut FC (3-3). Homentmen managed to secure a 4-point victory 79-75 on Sunday. Homentmen dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Beirut FC's 36. Homentmen forced 22 Beirut FC turnovers. Strangely Beirut FC outrebounded Homentmen 44-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by the former international guard Amar Mansour (175-2004, college: St.Joseph's) who scored that evening 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American center Angel Baker (173-2000, college: Ole Miss) supported her with 19 points and 4 steals. Even a double-double of 18 points, 21 rebounds and 5 blocks by American Chyna Cornwell (190-2001, college: Rutgers) did not help to save the game for Beirut FC. Maryam Jomaa (165-2003, agency: BIG) added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Five Homentmen and four Beirut FC players scored in double figures. Homentmen have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Newly promoted Beirut FC dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Antranik. Homentmen will meet at home league's second-placed Al Riyadi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Beirut FC will play against Antranik and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Beirut FC: C.Cornwell 18+21reb+3ast, M.Jomaa 18+7reb+5ast, S.Yasmina 14+7reb+3ast, S.Celine 10+2reb+1ast, K.Dean 8+2reb+5ast, K.Rita 5+4reb+1ast
Homentmen A.: B.Angel 19+3reb+3ast, A.Mansour 16+9reb+5ast, W.LaDazhia 15+7reb+2ast, G.El 11+5reb+2ast, P.Nasr 10+4reb+1ast, G.Saad 2+2reb+2ast

Al Riyadi - Azour 85-88

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Riyadi (7-1) in Beirut on Tuesday night. Hosts were edged by third ranked Azour (6-2) 88-85. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. Azour made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward LeLe Grissett (188, college: S.Carolina) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. The other American import guard Sabrina Haines (178-1997, college: Kentucky) contributed with 24 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Azour's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American-Angolan guard Italee Lucas (172-1989, college: UNC) replied with 41 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American center Sarah Boothe (195-1990, college: Stanford) added 14 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Al Riyadi. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Azour have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 6-2 record having just two points less than leader Homentmen A. Defending champion Al Riyadi keeps the second place with one game lost. Azour are looking forward to face Antranik (#4) in Beirut in the next round. Al Riyadi will play on the road against the league's leader Homentmen in Antelias and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: I.Lucas 41+6reb+4ast, S.Boothe 14+17reb+4ast, G.Maria 11+7reb+1ast, N.Maygen 11+1reb+3ast, E.Charif Chirine 4+6reb+2ast, L.Nour 4+4reb+1ast
Azour: H.Sabrina 24+8reb+3ast, Z.Elias 24+5reb+1ast, G.LeLe 18+7reb+10ast, E.Miramar 8+2reb+4ast, Y.Zeinoun 6+3reb+2ast, M.Saneh 6+2reb+1ast

Antranik - Bkennaya 56-63

Another exciting game for Bkennaya (3-4) which played in Beirut against 4th ranked Antranik (3-3). Seventh ranked Bkennaya won 63-56. Bkennaya outrebounded Antranik 46-30 including 34 on the defensive glass. Antranik was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of Senegalese Aminata Ly (193-2000, college: Fordham) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 24 rebounds and Ify Okoro who added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. American guard Kennedi Williams (170, college: Oregon) responded with 22 points and 4 assists and her fellow American import center Jillian Hollingshead (196-2003, college: Tennessee) scored 15 points and 8 rebounds. Bkennaya moved-up to sixth place, which they share with NSA. Antranik at the other side keeps the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Beirut FC. Bkennaya will play against Almtayleb (#9) in the next round. Antranik will play against Beirut FC (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Antranik: W.Kennedi 22+4reb+4ast, H.Jillian 15+8reb+1ast, H.Joudy 11+8reb+2ast, A.Angelina 3+2reb, F.Leticia 3+4reb+3ast, C.Aya 2
Bkennaya: I.Okoro 18+7reb+4ast, B.Sandra 16+4reb+5ast, L.Aminata 14+24reb+3ast, P.Khattar 7, N.Chaar 6, S.Hachem 2+4reb

Almtayleb - NSA 74-81

No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked NSA (3-4) beat on the road 9th ranked Almtayleb (1-7) 81-74 on Thursday. NSA made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. NSA outrebounded Almtayleb 48-31 including 17 on the offensive glass. The winners were led by Siritta Faraj who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals and American center Asia Henderson (190-1998, college: UNCW) supported her with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Even 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals by American Aliyah Matharu (170-2001, college: Baylor) did not help to save the game for Almtayleb. Guard Mathilda Khalil added 25 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. NSA moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bkennaya. Almtayleb lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with seven games lost. NSA will meet at home bottom-ranked Lebanese U18 (#10) in the next round. Almtayleb will play against Bkennaya and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Almtayleb: K.Mathilda 25+5reb+1ast, M.Aliyah 24+6reb+7ast, C.Nour 12+10reb+1ast, A.Hernandez 7+8reb+7ast, E.Hachem Lara 5+1reb, M.Jane 1
NSA: B.De'Myla 27+6reb+1ast, A.Henderson 23+14reb, S.Faraj 20+10reb+8ast, N.Maalouf 9+9reb+1ast, H.El 2+2reb, L.Hachem 0+2reb+1ast