LIB – Riyadi move closer to championship series

BEIRUT (FLB Divn. A League) - Six-time defending champions Al Riyadi Beirut continued their dominance over former FIBA Asia Champions Cup winners Sagesse, this time on the latter’s court at Ghazir winning Game 2 of their Lebanese Division A League Final Four series 72-57 on Wednesday.

Riyadi, who won Game 1 in a canter on Sunday, are now one win away from taking a shot at an unprecedented seventh successive Lebanese Division League title.

Game 4 of the best-of-five series is on Saturday with Riyadi playing hosts at Manara.

Riyadi were up 11-7 midway through the first quarter and grew in confidence as the game progressed, stretching their lead gradually.

Egyptian Ismail Ahmad, playing only his second game in more than two years for the Lebanese giants, led their charge.

The 35-year-old forward, signed days before the start of the Final Four, shot an incredible 12 of 16 from the field for his game-high 30 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

American Nate Johnson, Riyadi’s scoring mainstay throughout the season, had 17 points, nine boards, five assists, three steals and one block.

Seasoned campaigner Joe Vogel proved he has yet a few seasons left in himself with a dozen points and eight rebounds.

Sagesse had no answers for a Riyadi offensive machine that worked with customary panache.

Americans Garnet Thompson and Darryl Watkins were the leaders and the duo was far from impressive.

Thompson had 17 points but shot only seven of 16 and Darryl Watkins was no better with 15 points off of a five for 12 shooting performance.

Rony Fahed was the most conspicuous Lebanese in the Sagesse ranks with 13 points, but the battle as it has been so far looks uphill for Tab Baldwin’s team.

FIBA Asia