LIB – Riyadi draw first blood against Sagesse

BEIRUT (FLB Divn. A League) - Six-time defending champions Al Riyadi Beirut drew first blood in their Lebanese Division A League Final Four series against former FIBA Asia Champions Cup winners Sagesse, taking Game 1 by the score of 82-73 at Manara on Sunday.

American Nate Johnson (pictured) poured in 26 points to lead the scoring for Riyadi, who surged ahead 15-4 in the first five minutes.

Riyadi, who are in line for the WABA League title – the date for Game 5 of their final series against Syria’s Al Jala’a is yet to be confirmed – never trailed in the game.

Egyptian Ismail Ahmad celebrated his return to Riyadi colours after a two-year absence with an impressive all-round show – 13 rebounds and 10 points.

Joe Vogel, Riyadi's old warhorse, continued to serve the team as has been his wont with 17 points.

Point guards Omar El Turk and Ali Mahmoud too had good performances, the former scoring 14 points and dishing out a game-high seven assists while the later had a dozen points for Fouad Abouchakra’s team.

Sagesse, coached by Lebanese National Team chief Tab Baldwin, shone in patches as the game progressed, but the early deficit proved too big a task to overcome.

Import Darryl Watkins had a team-best 26 points and grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds in the losing cause.

Sabah Khoury had 17 points for Sagesse, but Baldwin’s team turned the ball over 18 times.

In comparison, Riyadi had only eight turnovers and made the most of their opponents' mistakes, scoring on 10 occasions.

Game 1 of the other Final Four game between Lebanese Super Cup winners Champville and Moutahed is on Tuesday with the former playing host.

FIBA Asia