NSA Beat Beirut, 97-92
NSA held off a competitive Beirut squad to claim a hard-fought 97-92 D1M victory at Chiyah Arena on Sunday, October 19. Richard Maykey led the charge for NSA with a game-high 23 points and 9 assists.
NSA took a 50-46 lead into halftime. The third quarter was the decisive stretch, with NSA outscoring their opponents 27-16 to swing the momentum in their favor. Beirut closed the game strong with a 30-20 fourth-quarter effort.
The game featured several highlight plays. T. Jones (NSA) threw down a powerful dunk in the fourth quarter. P. Fakhry (NSA) connected from beyond the arc in the first quarter during a crucial stretch. C. Soueid was a force on the defensive end with 3 blocks.
Richard Maykey was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals in 32 minutes of action. He shot 8-of-12 (67%) from the field, 4-of-7 (57%) from three-point range. Christophe Khalil provided valuable support with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals. Domagoj Proleta also chipped in with 11 points off the bench.
NSA's bench was a major factor, contributing 29 points off the pine. Domagoj Proleta was the standout reserve, providing 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists in a spark-plug role. NSA also generated 14 second-chance points and 17 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Both teams shot similarly from the field — NSA at 49% and Beirut at 49%.
NSA was in control for much of the game, building a lead of up to 16 points and putting together a 13-0 scoring run.
The biggest momentum shift came when NSA put together a 13-0 run in the first quarter, leaving their opponents scrambling to respond. NSA answered with a 10-0 run of their own, keeping the contest competitive.
Down the stretch, NSA came up clutch when it mattered most. T. Jones nailed a clutch free throw with 00:03 remaining to help seal the victory. It was a white-knuckle finish that had both benches on their feet until the final buzzer.
Despite the result, Tony Mitchel showed his quality for Beirut, contributing 29 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists. Elijah Richard Thomas added 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.