LIB - Riyadi retain title as Blue Stars fade
BEIRUT (Division A) - Defending champions Riyadi retained their Lebanese league title following a 91-67 victory over Blue Stars in Game Three of their best-of-five series. After winning the Lebanon Cup last month, Riyadi were favourites to
BEIRUT (Division A) - Defending champions Riyadi retained their Lebanese league title following a 91-67 victory over Blue Stars in Game Three of their best-of-five series.
After winning the Lebanon Cup last month, Riyadi were favourites to complete the double and claim their third consecutive league crown when they opened up a 2-0 lead in the finals series.
And they were rarely troubled on Friday either with Blue Stars eventually crumbling under the pressure after taking a 24-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Riyadi hit back to hold a 48-35 advantage at half-time, before continuing that dominance in the second half thanks to an impressive performance from Egyptian Ismail Ahmed, who finished with 20 points.
Ronald Hale led all scorers with 23 points for Blue Stars but it was to no avail.
Mohammed Hallal
FIBA