WLBL Round 16 (Regular Season): Azour lose to Al Riyadi in the game between Top 4 teams

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in WLBL. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

3rd ranked host Azour (12-4) lost to second ranked Al Riyadi (15-1) 72-58. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Azour. Al Riyadi forced 23 Azour turnovers. Strangely Azour outrebounded Al Riyadi 46-33 including 31 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Al Riyadi especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Rebecca Akl (170-1992) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals and international Maria Ghaleb (183-2001, college: WBU) who added 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side international center Zena Elias (190-2000, college: USA) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds. Al Riyadi have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Homentmen. Azour at the other side keeps the third place with four games lost. Al Riyadi is looking forward to face league's second-placed Homentmen in Antelias in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Azour will play on the road against Antranik in Beirut and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Antelias. Second ranked host Homentmen (15-1) smashed 4th ranked Beirut FC (8-7) 83-37. The winners were led by Meghry Torossian who scored that evening 32 points and 5 rebounds and Reem El Ghali supported her with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Maryam Jomaa (165-2003, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Beirut FC. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Homentmen have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Newly promoted Beirut FC keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Homentmen will play against league's leader Al Riyadi in Beirut in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Beirut FC will play against Damour and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Antranik (#5) was upset in by eighth ranked Bkennaya 61-49. Pia Khattar fired 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Bkennaya's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Joudy Harake produced 9 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Bkennaya maintains eighth position with 5-10 record. Antranik lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Damour. Bkennaya will meet Almtayleb (#9) in the next round. Antranik will play against Azour and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 16 Almtayleb was destroyed by NSA on the opponent's court 91-67.

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.

Azour - Al Riyadi 58-72

3rd ranked host Azour (12-4) lost to second ranked Al Riyadi (15-1) 72-58. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Azour. Al Riyadi forced 23 Azour turnovers. Strangely Azour outrebounded Al Riyadi 46-33 including 31 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Al Riyadi especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Rebecca Akl (170-1992) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals and international Maria Ghaleb (183-2001, college: WBU) who added 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side international center Zena Elias (190-2000, college: USA) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds and the former international Yasha Zeinoun (175-2002) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Al Riyadi have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Homentmen. Azour at the other side keeps the third place with four games lost. Al Riyadi is looking forward to face league's second-placed Homentmen in Antelias in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Azour will play on the road against Antranik in Beirut and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Rebecca 25+5reb+8ast, M.Ghaleb 16+7reb+2ast, M.Naassan 13+2reb+1ast, N.Labban 8+3reb+6ast, C.El 4+7reb+1ast, N.Gyokchyan 4+7reb+3ast
Azour: Z.Elias 17+16reb+1ast, Z.Yasha 12+5reb+3ast, F.Joya 10+5reb+2ast, F.Myana 9+2reb, A.Patil 5+4reb+2ast, S.Melody 3+5reb+1ast

Homentmen A. - Beirut FC 83-37

The game between Top Four teams took place in Antelias. Second ranked host Homentmen (15-1) smashed 4th ranked Beirut FC (8-7) 83-37. Homentmen held Beirut FC to an opponent 22.8 percent shooting from the field compared to 47.5 percent accuracy of the winners. Homentmen forced 24 Beirut FC turnovers and outrebounded them 44-29 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Homentmen players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Beirut FC's players. The winners were led by Meghry Torossian who scored that evening 32 points and 5 rebounds and the former international Reem El Ghali (181-2007) supported her with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Maryam Jomaa (165-2003, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Beirut FC. Lynn Mosleh added 6 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Homentmen have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Newly promoted Beirut FC keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Homentmen will play against league's leader Al Riyadi in Beirut in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Beirut FC will play against Damour and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Homentmen A.: M.Torossian 32+5reb+3ast, P.Nasr 17+7reb+2ast, G.El 14+7reb+5ast, A.Mansour 7+5reb+4ast, A.Tabakian 6+3reb, E.Jawde 5+5reb+2ast
Beirut FC: M.Jomaa 13+5reb+4ast, B.Thea 6+3reb, M.Lynn 6+4reb+1ast, A.Mrad C 4+2reb, C.Maria 3+1ast, S.Yasmina 3+1reb+2ast

NSA - Almtayleb 91-67

Very expected game when 9th ranked Almtayleb (1-15) was crushed on the road by fifth ranked NSA (7-10) 91-67 on Sunday. NSA had a 42-29 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American guard Syrita Faraj (175, college: St.Rose, NY) fired 41 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international Nancy Maalouf (174-1988) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. NSA's coach felt very confident using 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Mathilda Khalil produced 20 points and 4 assists and Nour Chahine added 15 points and 11 rebounds respectively for lost side. NSA maintains fifth position with 7-10 record. Almtayleb lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 15 games lost. NSA will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Almtayleb will play against Bkennaya (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NSA: S.Faraj 41+10reb+4ast, N.Maalouf 10+15reb+6ast, E.Khoury 8+3reb+3ast, T.Saide 7+3reb, S.Abdo 7+3reb+6ast, L.Abou 6+1reb+2ast
Almtayleb: K.Mathilda 20+4reb+4ast, C.Nour 15+11reb, A.Halloun A 8+8reb+1ast, E.Hachem Lara 7+6reb+1ast, L.Abou 7, N.Morgane 6+7reb+3ast

Bkennaya - Antranik 61-49

Antranik (#5) was upset in by eighth ranked Bkennaya 61-49. Pia Khattar fired 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Center Sandra Beddawi (168-1992, agency: BIG) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds. Bkennaya's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Joudy Harake produced 9 points and 8 rebounds and Leticia Fakih (-2004) added 8 points and 8 assists respectively for lost side. Bkennaya maintains eighth position with 5-10 record. Antranik lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Damour. Bkennaya will meet Almtayleb (#9) in the next round. Antranik will play against Azour and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bkennaya: B.Sandra 18+5reb+3ast, P.Khattar 18+8reb+1ast, S.Hachem 8+10reb+3ast, E.Ghnatios 5+8reb+1ast, N.Rtail 4+1reb+1ast, T.Arslaniian 4+2reb+1ast
Antranik: H.Joudy 9+8reb+3ast, S.Crystel 8+10reb+1ast, F.Leticia 8+3reb+8ast, J.Maeve 7, A.Lynn 6+6reb, L.Massoud 6+3reb+1ast