Sagesse Top NSA, 114-106
Sagesse pulled away for a convincing 114-106 D1M win over NSA at Ghazir on Sunday, February 8. Paris Bass led the charge for Sagesse with a game-high 32 points and 13 rebounds. It was an up-tempo, high-scoring affair with both teams combining for 220 points.
Sagesse took a 52-48 lead into halftime. The second quarter was the decisive stretch, with Sagesse outscoring their opponents 27-18 to swing the momentum in their favor.
The game featured several highlight plays. The game featured 5 dunks in total, with M. Khoueiry (Sagesse) throwing down a powerful slam in the first quarter. C. Khalil (NSA) connected from beyond the arc in the third quarter during a crucial stretch. M. Khoueiry was a force on the defensive end with 8 blocks.
Paris Bass was the undeniable star of the game, finishing with 32 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks in 45 minutes of action. He shot 14-of-21 (67%) from the field, 3-of-5 (60%) from the free-throw line. The double-double effort underlined his all-around impact on the game. Walter Hodge provided valuable support with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, including 5 three-pointers. Mark Khoueiry also chipped in with 19 points off the starting lineup.
Sagesse's bench was a major factor, contributing 18 points off the pine. Kevin Murphy was the standout reserve, providing 9 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists in a spark-plug role. Sagesse also generated 10 second-chance points and 21 fast-break points, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Both teams shot similarly from the field — Sagesse at 51% and NSA at 48%. From beyond the arc, Sagesse connected on 11-of-27 (40%) while NSA managed just 16-of-40 (40%).
Sagesse owned the paint with 54 points inside to NSA's 38.
Down the stretch, Sagesse came up clutch when it mattered most. Y. Khayat nailed a clutch free throw with 00:05 remaining to help seal the victory.
Despite the result, Stefan Jankovic showed his quality for NSA, contributing 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks. Petar Rakicevic added 31 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, but their combined efforts were not enough to turn the tide.