Dubai International Tournament - 16th Edition 2005 - Al Ahli Stadium

Starters: Elie Mechantaf - Paul Khoury - Kenny Satterfield -  Samir Gouda - George Chibani 
Substitutes:  Jon Ferris - Bassem Balaa - Sabah Khoury - Joe Mansour - Charles Bardawil

Taylor started the game with 2 centers, Gouda and Khoury, with Chibani on 1 plus Mechantaf and Satterfield on 3 and 2. After a 5-0 run to Fastlink, Mechantaf scored Sagesse first basket, then Khoury fouled twice in 5 minutes which prompted coach Taylor to replace him with Balaa.
The synchronization problem was still clearly showing in the transition defense and offensive penetrations, where the players would rotate the ball with a lack of speed in an attempt to find the opening gate in the defense.
After a timeout, Ferris replaces Gouda and Satterfield misses 2 free throws and Ferris fail to score, allowing Fastlink to create the break 20-13. The defense regrouping under the basket allowed Fastlink to score from the outer zone while Sagesse didn't score for almost 2 minutes. Ferris gets fouled and scores 1 of 2, ending the 1st halftime 24-16 to Fastlink.

Gouda, Mechantaf, Satterfield, Chibani and Balaa start the 2nd quarter facing a tight and hermetic defense from Fastlink, while they show some loosening on the transition defense. At 10 points difference, Taylor requests a timeout after which Sabah Khoury replaces Chibani and Sagesse apply man to man defense. Mechantaf 3 pointer reduces the score to 30-23 but Fastlink quickly reply with 2 points. Sagesse defense tightening gave good results in denying Fastlink the basket, but offensively they didn't take advantage and failed to score with 3 ball possessions in a row.
It tool Satterfield individual efforts to finally score, then Gouda gets fouled and scores, reducing the gap to 32-28. Not for long though with Fastlink 3 pointer right after and a turnover, requiring another timeout for Taylor.
Mansour replaces Balaa, Satterfield scores and gets fouled, then captain Mechantaf sinks a 3 pointer, while the defense switches back to zone defense. Ferris offensive performance was fruitless, and this affected a lot the score since he was playing on positions 3 and 4. The scoring was restricted to Mechantaf and Satterfield and it was easier for Fastlink to shut off these 2 keys rather than to worry about more potential scorers. The score at halftime was once again 10 points ahead to Fastlink 43-33.

Paul Khoury, Chibani, Mechantaf, Satterfield and Ferris started the 3rd quarter with a basket followed by a blockshot on Satterfield, the 2nd so far. On the offensive rebounds, Fastlink were the stronger and using the following fast breaks to score. More turnovers and 3 points gave the big break to Fastlink 52-39.
Bardawil started his game by a 3 pointer and a rebound, replacing Chibani. Mechantaf adds his own 3 pointer, but the efforts are lost on the defensive rebounds where Fastlink were able to score. 
As soon as Sagesse starts a serious come back with Ferris, Paul Khoury, Mechantaf, Satterfield and Bardawil, Fastlink coach Mrad Barakat calls for a timeout at 56-46 in order to prevent any threat. 
As expected, the loosening in Fastlink's defense is fixed after the timeout and Sagesse offense is once again facing problems in creating breaches in their opponent's zone. Add to this 2 dramatic turnovers and an almost inexistent transition defense, and the score rises back to 63-48, requiring an urgent time out for Taylor.
Bardawil, Satterfield, Bardawil, Mechantaf and Paul Khoury play the last minute of the 3rd quarter, Satterfield gets fouled and scores, 63-50 to Fastlink. Bardawil misses two attempts at 3 points while Ferris fails under the basket then fouls. The 3rd quarter ends 66-50 under heavy and provoking cheering from the Jordanian crowd supported also by the Syrians.

Balaa, Satterfield, Bardawil, Mechantaf and Paul Khoury start the last quarter with a 16 points gap and a hard mission ahead. Khoury scores under the basket after a nice assist from Satterfield, but it is plain evident that the players move were dictated by the moment's improvised data rather than preset and learnt plans and tactics.
Khoury scores twice again after missing a free shot, then Satterfield adds his own free throws, bringing the score to 74-61 at 6 minutes left to the final buzzer.
Ferris fouls out and Sagesse continue with Mechantaf, the 2 Khourys, Balaa and Satterfield and a zone defense. The game turned low profile with what seemed an improbable serious come back that could threaten Fastlink domination.
Satterfield, Mansour, Mechantaf, Sabah Khoury and Balaa resumed the game after a timeout while Mrad Barakat withdrew some of his key players to rest them for the semifinal game. Sagesse easy balls were missing the basket while Fastlink attempts from the outer ring were sinking straight in.
But whatever the issue of the money time, the game was almost sealed at the end of the 3rd quarter, and Sagesse will meet the Emirates selection once again, next Sunday at 3pm, to play the 5th-6th ranking game.
The game final score was 91-70