Beirut Defeat NSA, 98-88
Beirut pulled away for a convincing 98-88 D1M win over NSA at Fouad Chehab Stadium on Friday, January 9. Trayvion Jackson led the charge for Beirut with a game-high 35 points and 9 rebounds. The lead changed hands 12 times before Beirut eventually pulled away for good.
NSA took a 55-51 lead into halftime, but Beirut mounted a stunning second-half comeback, outscoring NSA 47-33 after the break. The fourth quarter was the decisive stretch, with Beirut outscoring their opponents 25-15 to swing the momentum in their favor.
The game featured several highlight plays. The game featured 7 dunks in total, with T. Jackson (Beirut) throwing down a powerful slam in the first quarter. D. Hamilton (Beirut) connected from beyond the arc in the third quarter during a crucial stretch. E. Lufile was a force on the defensive end with 3 blocks.
Trayvion Jackson was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 35 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists in 37 minutes of action. He shot 14-of-23 (61%) from the field, 2-of-4 (50%) from three-point range, 5-of-5 (100%) from the free-throw line. Albert James English provided valuable support with 35 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, including 7 three-pointers. Daniel Dominique Hamilton also chipped in with 17 points off the starting lineup.
Beirut also generated 11 second-chance points and 26 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Both teams shot similarly from the field — Beirut at 50% and NSA at 46%.
NSA committed 15 turnovers compared to Beirut's 6, leading to 19 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 first quarter, leaving their opponents scrambling to respond.
Down the stretch, Beirut came up clutch when it mattered most. T. Jackson nailed a clutch free throw with 02:50 remaining to help seal the victory.
For NSA, Elijah Lufile was the standout performer in defeat with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists. Christophe Khalil added 12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.