Sagesse Top Beirut, 89-79
Sagesse pulled away for a convincing 89-79 D1M win over Beirut at Ghazir on Saturday, November 15. Ali Haidar led the charge for Sagesse with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. The lead changed hands 13 times before Sagesse eventually pulled away for good.
Beirut took a 36-35 lead into halftime, but Sagesse mounted a stunning second-half comeback, outscoring Beirut 54-43 after the break. The fourth quarter was the decisive stretch, with Sagesse outscoring their opponents 26-15 to swing the momentum in their favor.
The game featured several highlight plays. The game featured 6 dunks in total, with T. Jackson (Beirut) throwing down a powerful slam in the first quarter. E. Thomas (Beirut) connected from beyond the arc in the third quarter during a crucial stretch. E. Thomas was a force on the defensive end with 8 blocks.
Ali Haidar was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists in 31 minutes of action. He shot 10-of-22 (45%) from the field, 4-of-4 (100%) from the free-throw line. The double-double effort underlined his all-around impact on the game. Eric Green provided valuable support with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals.
Sagesse's bench was a major factor, contributing 15 points off the pine. Mark Khoueiry was the standout reserve, providing 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals in a spark-plug role. Sagesse also generated 14 second-chance points and 29 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Both teams shot similarly from the field — Sagesse at 43% and Beirut at 45%. From beyond the arc, Sagesse connected on 11-of-25 (44%) while Beirut managed just 5-of-22 (22%).
Sagesse dominated the boards 46-30, including 16 offensive rebounds that led to extra possessions. Sagesse's ball movement was superior with 26 assists to Beirut's 20.
Down the stretch, Sagesse came up clutch when it mattered most. M. Khoueiry nailed a key basket with 05:32 remaining to help seal the victory.
In a losing effort, Trayvion Jackson fought hard for Beirut, finishing with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists. Elijah Richard Thomas added 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 blocks, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.