- 04
- Mar
- 2024
Basketball - Women's League: Riyadi Win the Lebanese Title
modified on 11 Apr. 2024 à 15:53 Read : 2 minute(s) A A A
Riyadi basketball club were crowned Lebanese champions on Monday, defeating Beirut SC 78-49 in the fourth game of the Women's Basketball League finals.
Riyadi reclaimed the Lebanese Women's Basketball League title after a three-year drought, defeating Beirut SC 78-49 in Monday's final in Manara. With this victory, Riyadi won the best-of-five series against Beirut 3-1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_qexl-G4rE
Omar el-Turk started the match with Rebecca Akl, Meghry Torossian, Gaby Saad, Angela Tompkins and Sherine al-Sherif. Gilbert Nasr also opted for a classic starting five with Maygen Simmons, Miramar Mokdad, Nathalie Sevadjian, Aida Bakhos and Melodie Saneh.
Riyadi got things off to a flying start with Gaby Saad in fine form, scoring stroke after stroke in the middle distance. The first 10 minutes were fairly even, with Riyadi taking a short lead (19-14).
Riyadi Closes the Door
In the second quarter, Riyadi tightened up their defense even more, suffocating the Beirut club's offensive efforts, as they struggled to find the opposing team's basket (six points only). Rebecca Akl, in fine form on Monday, scored great shots for her partners, who ended the first half 38-20 to her advantage.
After the break, the Beirut players tried to get back into the match, but nothing could be done. The home advantage was hardly sufficient in this high-tension match. Omar Turk was able to count on his leading duo of Gaby Saad and Rebecca Akl, who were absent on Sunday. They injected the attacking rhythm that Riyadi so lacked in the third match. For her part, Aida Bakhos produced a number of classy moves, such as a luminous pass to Miramar Mokdad under the basket, or a three-pointer from eight meters out (55-33 at the 30th).
Substantial Advantage
The Riyadi players went into the fourth and final quarter with a substantial 22-point advantage.
Despite a few spurts of energy, the Riyadi players showed great serenity and managed the end of the game with a great deal of skill. Rebecca Akl's penetration of the opponent's basket at 22 seconds from the buzzer, followed by her two free throws, completed Riyadi's success (78-49 at the final whistle).
Riyadi's crowning achievement is the culmination of Omar Turk's rebuilding work and the continuation of a brilliant season in both the women's and men's leagues.
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