DLBL Round 20 (Regular Season): Homentmen hands first defeat to Al Riyadi

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

Undefeated Al Riyadi (19-1) recorded its first loss in Beirut on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by seventh ranked Homentmen (11-9) 126-125. It ended at the same time the 19-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. They outrebounded Al Riyadi 45-32 including 30 on the defensive glass. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who scored 46 points (!!!) and 10 assists. The other American import guard McKenzie Moore (198-1992, college: UTEP) chipped in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Ismail Ahmad produced a triple-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists for the guests. Homentmen moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Antonine and Antranik. Defending champion Al Riyadi still keeps top position with one game lost. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Sagesse.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Beirut. Second ranked Sagesse faced one of their biggest challengers Al Markaziyyah. Host Sagesse (17-3) smashed guests from Jounieh (12-8) 99-73. The former international forward Youssef Khayat (206-2003, college: BGSU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Simi Shittu contributed with 25 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Senegalese center Abdoulaye Gueye (206-1994, college: Georgia Tech) replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for Al Markaziyyah. Sagesse have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 17-3 record having just two points less than leader Al Riyadi. Al Markaziyyah at the other side keeps the third place with eight games lost. They share the position with Hoops. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Homentmen.
The game in Beirut was also quite interesting. Seventh ranked Antonine (11-9) played at the court of 8th ranked Beirut Club (9-11). Antonine managed to secure a 4-point victory 81-77 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominic Artis who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Devin Ebanks responded with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Antonine moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Homentmen and Antranik. Beirut Club lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Antonine will meet at home bottom-ranked Tadamon (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.

Rest of the games of round 20 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Antranik crushed Tadamon in Beirut 111-76. Batroun beat Maristes at home 92-80. Hoops won against NSA on the opponent's court 85-82.



Beirut Club - Antonine 77-81

The game in Beirut was also quite interesting. Seventh ranked Antonine (11-9) played at the court of 8th ranked Beirut Club (9-11). Antonine managed to secure a 4-point victory 81-77 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Kosovan guard Dominic Artis (190-1993, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American center Justin Patton (216-1997, college: Creighton) who added 17 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. American forward Devin Ebanks (206-1989, college: WVU) responded with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American-Sierra Leonean guard Richaud Pack (192-1992, college: Maryland, agency: The Crew A.M.) scored 21 points. Antonine moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Homentmen and Antranik. Beirut Club lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Antonine will meet at home bottom-ranked Tadamon (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: D.Ebanks 22+9reb+4ast, R.Pack 21+2reb+1ast, M.Adewunmi 10+5reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 8+3reb+5ast, J.Abou Samra 8+4reb+4ast, M.Jean 6+10reb
Antonine: G.Jarred 22+3reb+2ast, P.Justin 17+11reb+1ast, A.Dominic 17+9reb+4ast, C.Elie 8+2reb, A.Mark 6+4reb, T.Ghassan 5+6reb+1ast

Tadamon - Antranik 76-111

There was no surprise in Hrajel where 12th ranked Tadamon (1-19) was crushed by seventh ranked Antranik (11-9) 111-76 on Friday. Antranik dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Tadamon's 38. They outrebounded Tadamon 52-20 including a 22-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Antranik looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Tadamon's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Jeriah Coleman (216-2000, college: Nevada, agency: 0z Sports Agency) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import Chance Hunter (198-1998, college: Cal Poly, agency: 0z Sports Agency) who added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Omar Younes responded with 27 points and Fady Tannoury scored 16 points and 8 rebounds. Five Antranik and four Tadamon players scored in double figures. Antranik have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Homentmen and Antonine. Tadamon lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Antranik will meet at home NSA (#9) in the next round. Tadamon will play against Antonine and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: Y.Omar 27+4reb+3ast, D.John 18+2reb+4ast, T.Fady 16+8reb+2ast, Z.Elio 13+2reb+4ast, M.Elio 2+4reb+3ast, A.Alex 0
Antranik: C.Jeriah 23+17reb+1ast, H.Chance 20+7reb+4ast, R.Guy 15+5reb+4ast, A.Habib 13+7reb+6ast, K.Kevork 11+2reb+1ast, S.Alaa 11+2reb+4ast

Batroun - Maristes 92-80

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Batroun and 10th ranked Maristes had identical 5-14 record. This time Batroun used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Dik El Mehdi 92-80 on Saturday night. Batroun made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Batroun outrebounded Maristes 44-25 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Keon Clergeot (185-1996, college: SE Louisiana, agency: MSG) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and the other American import power forward Brison Gresham (201-1998, college: Texas Southern) who added 12 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. American guard Lyndel Erold (190, college: Brown) responded with 20 points and 7 assists and Ray Sleiman (187-2006) scored 24 points. Five Batroun and four Maristes players scored in double figures. Batroun (6-14) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with NSA. Maristes lost eleventh consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Batroun will meet at home higher ranked Al Markaziyyah (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Maristes will play against Hoops (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Maristes: S.Ray 24+3reb+2ast, L.Erold 20+4reb+7ast, H.El Khatib 19+5reb+2ast, G.Samaha 12+8reb+4ast, K.Samer 5+2reb+1ast, A.Jad 0
Batroun: C.Keon 22+7reb+8ast, K.Kozah 15+6reb+1ast, M.Al 15+3reb+2ast, K.Andrew 15+7reb+2ast, G.Brison 12+13reb+3ast, B.Saba 12+8reb+4ast

Sagesse - Al Markaziyyah 99-73

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Beirut. Second ranked Sagesse faced one of their biggest challengers Al Markaziyyah. Host Sagesse (17-3) smashed guests from Jounieh (12-8) 99-73. Sagesse outrebounded Al Markaziyyah 52-36 including a 38-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sagesse players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The former international forward Youssef Khayat (206-2003, college: BGSU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Canadian center Simi Shittu (208-1999, college: Vanderbilt) contributed with 25 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Senegalese center Abdoulaye Gueye (206-1994, college: Georgia Tech) replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Matthew Khoury (190, college: Lindsey Wilson) added 23 points in the effort for Al Markaziyyah. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sagesse have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 17-3 record having just two points less than leader Al Riyadi. Al Markaziyyah at the other side keeps the third place with eight games lost. They share the position with Hoops. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: M.Khoury 23+3reb+2ast, A.Gueye 16+10reb+2ast, N.Anthony 12+2reb+1ast, J.El Khatib 12+3reb+3ast, E.Saad 4+11reb+3ast, G.Elio 4+5reb+4ast
Sagesse: Y.Khayat 37+11reb+4ast, S.Simi 25+8reb+1ast, W.Byron 11+5reb+3ast, K.Jad 10+6reb+7ast, H.Gerard 6+5reb, A.Joseph 4+3reb

NSA - Hoops 82-85

Very expected game when 9th ranked NSA (6-14) was edged at home by fourth ranked Hoops (12-8) 85-82 on Sunday. Hoops looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard George Yves-Daaboul (178-1995, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 21 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists and American guard Vante Hendrix (196-1998, college: CSUN, agency: BIG) who added 19 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Hoops' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Rashad Williams (188-2000, college: UAPB) responded with 25 points and the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Hoops moved-up to third place, which they share with Al Markaziyyah. Loser NSA keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Batroun. Hoops will meet Maristes (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. NSA will play against Antranik in Beirut and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
NSA: R.Williams 25+3reb+3ast, C.Khalil 17+9reb+3ast, A.Thomas 15+6reb, M.Ochi 14+10reb+1ast, S.Jason 9+2reb+6ast, M.Haddad 2+2reb+3ast
Hoops: Y.George 21+6reb+8ast, H.Vante 19+11reb+3ast, B.Christian 13+1reb+4ast, E.Ahmad 12+5reb+1ast, A.Omar 9+5reb+1ast, T.Luka 6+3reb+2ast

Homentmen - Al Riyadi 126-125

Undefeated Al Riyadi (19-1) recorded its first loss in Beirut on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by seventh ranked Homentmen (11-9) 126-125. It ended at the same time the 19-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. They outrebounded Al Riyadi 45-32 including 30 on the defensive glass. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who scored 46 points (!!!) and 10 assists. The other American import guard McKenzie Moore (198-1992, college: UTEP) chipped in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Ismail Ahmad produced a triple-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists and South Sudanese-Australian forward Kouat Noi (201-1997, college: TCU) added 36 points (!!!) respectively for the guests. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Homentmen moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Antonine and Antranik. Defending champion Al Riyadi still keeps top position with one game lost. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Sagesse.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: K.Noi 36+4reb+1ast, M.Georges-Hunt 25+5reb+9ast, A.Ismail 21+13reb+14ast, A.Saoud 14+2reb+3ast, K.Zeinoun 14+3reb+7ast, A.Mansour 12+2reb+3ast
Homentmen: S.Jordan 46+3reb+10ast, M.Hoteit 24+4reb+1ast, M.McKenzie 22+9reb+8ast, A.Aziz 19+5reb+1ast, H.Fathy 11+16reb+1ast, A.Tanios 2+4reb