LIB – Seven in a row for splendid Riyadi!

BEIRUT (FLB Divn. A League) - Six-time defending champions Al Riyadi Beirut staged a remarkable third quarter resurgence and forged ahead for a 76-66 win on Sunday to complete a 3-0 sweep in their Lebanese Division A League Finals against archrivals and Lebanese Super Cup winners Champville.

Sunday’s triumph in front of a partisan crowd and passionate home fans, combined with wins in Game 1 last Wednesday and Game 2 on Saturday took Riyadi to an unprecedented seventh successive Lebanese League championship.

But it wasn't smooth sailing for Riyadi, who played from behind for a large part of the game.

A 9-0 run early on had Champville in control and Ghassan Sarkis’ team kept the momentum well into the third quarter.

Champville led by as many as 10 points midway through that period, while Riyadi looked a pale shadow of their dominant cohesive selves.

That changed once import Nate Johnson decided to take charge of the proceedings for Riyadi.

The American, one of the most prolific performers for Riyadi this season, took over the scoring duties as part of a spurt that got Riyadi within 53-50.

Fadi El Khatib ended Champville's drought, but Riyadi soon were back on a spree once more.

Johnson converted three free-throws and Ali Mahmoud added one of his own. Veteran Joe Vogel then scored inside to put Riyadi ahead, 56-55, as the game headed into the fourth quarter.

It was Riyadi's first lead of the game and they never relinquished it.

They gained in control and confidence in the final frame, scoring the first five points and, when Champville got within one, 61-60, Riyadi answered with a run of 12 unanswered points to seal the outcome of the game and ultimately the series.

Johnson finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and as many blocks to emerge as the MVP of the game.

Ahmad shot 10 of 15 from the field on his way to 23 points - including seven in that final flurry - and added 10 boards and four assists for good measure.

El Khatib had a game-high 26 points, but made just 11 of 27 attempts.

Tyrone Anderson accounted for 14 points and nine rebounds, while Lee Benson was held to just three points.

FIBA Asia