Sagesse Take Down Beirut, 110-100
Sagesse pulled away for a convincing 110-100 D1M win over Beirut at Chiyah Arena on Sunday, February 15. Youssef Khayat led the charge for Sagesse with a game-high 30 points and 9 rebounds. It was an up-tempo, high-scoring affair with both teams combining for 210 points.
Sagesse took a 54-43 lead into halftime. The fourth quarter was the decisive stretch, with Beirut outscoring their opponents 35-26 to swing the momentum in their favor.
The game featured several highlight plays. The game featured 5 dunks in total, with P. Bass (Sagesse) throwing down a powerful slam in the first quarter. A. English (Beirut) connected from beyond the arc in the second quarter during a crucial stretch. P. Bass was a force on the defensive end with 7 blocks.
Youssef Khayat was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 30 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists in 40 minutes of action. He shot 13-of-19 (68%) from the field, 2-of-6 (33%) from three-point range. Paris Bass provided valuable support with 27 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. Mark Khoueiry also chipped in with 11 points off the starting lineup.
Sagesse's bench was a major factor, contributing 26 points off the pine. Kevin Murphy was the standout reserve, providing 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists in a spark-plug role. Sagesse also generated 24 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Sagesse held a significant edge in field goal shooting at 54% compared to Beirut's 40%. From beyond the arc, Sagesse connected on 7-of-23 (30%) while Beirut managed just 16-of-40 (40%).
Sagesse owned the paint with 74 points inside to Beirut's 32. Sagesse's ball movement was superior with 30 assists to Beirut's 22. Sagesse was in control for much of the game, building a lead of up to 20 points.
Down the stretch, Sagesse came up clutch when it mattered most. P. Bass nailed a key basket with 01:19 remaining to help seal the victory.
In a losing effort, Albert James English fought hard for Beirut, finishing with 52 points, 6 rebounds. Mohamad Shabaz added 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.