Beirut Take Down Antranik, 62-53
Beirut pulled away for a convincing 62-53 D1M win over Antranik at Chiyah Arena on Saturday, December 13. Daniel Dominique Hamilton led the charge for Beirut with a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds. The game was a defensive battle throughout, with just 115 combined points scored.
The two sides were locked in a tight battle through the first half, heading into the break tied at 30 apiece. The fourth quarter was the decisive stretch, with Beirut outscoring their opponents 24-13 to swing the momentum in their favor.
The game featured several highlight plays. M. Majak (Antranik) threw down a powerful dunk in the second quarter, one of 3 dunks in the game. A. English (Beirut) connected from beyond the arc in the first quarter during a crucial stretch. J. Makhlouf was a force on the defensive end with 8 blocks.
Daniel Dominique Hamilton was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals in 38 minutes of action. He shot 7-of-21 (33%) from the field, 5-of-15 (33%) from three-point range. The double-double effort underlined his all-around impact on the game. Alec Zanbaka provided valuable support with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists. Joey Zaloum also chipped in with 10 points off the bench.
Beirut's bench was a major factor, contributing 20 points off the pine. Joey Zaloum was the standout reserve, providing 10 points, 2 assists in a spark-plug role. Beirut also generated 11 second-chance points and 10 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Both teams shot similarly from the field — Beirut at 31% and Antranik at 29%. From beyond the arc, Beirut connected on 11-of-46 (23%) while Antranik managed just 4-of-30 (13%). Beirut also had the advantage at the charity stripe, converting 5 free throws to Antranik's 11.
Antranik committed 19 turnovers compared to Beirut's 10, leading to 17 points off turnovers for Beirut. Beirut was in control for much of the game, putting together a 10-0 scoring run.
The biggest momentum shift came when Beirut put together a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter, leaving their opponents scrambling to respond.
Down the stretch, Beirut came up clutch when it mattered most. A. Zanbaka nailed a crucial three-pointer with 01:03 remaining to help seal the victory.
In a losing effort, Majur Majak fought hard for Antranik, finishing with 16 points, 20 rebounds, 2 steals. Guy Rizk added 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.