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-October
12th:
* Sagesse v/s
Al-Ittihad: (103-83)
Despite
a late start in their preparations for the new season,
Sagesse ended their first game against Syrian Al Ittihad
in the Damascus Championship with a 20-point win, 103-83.
Head Coach Ghassan Sarkis gave credit to all his players,
especially his new foreign recruits, Johnny Rhodes and
Sherrel Ford and to Ali Chamsine, Badre Makki and Bassem
Balaa who came from the bench and scored when they were
supposed to and had a good timing in rebounding. “While
the fans saw the stats,” he said, “I was watching
something else; I was seeing their movement and the effort
they made on the floor. Balaa led the team with three
steals while Rhodes, Elie Mechantaf and Fadi El Khatib had
two steals each.
Sagesse
attacking duo Mechantaf and Khatib scored 50 points.
Khatib had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Ford added
16 points and Rhodes 12. Assane N'Diaye lived up to his
defensive reputation grabbing 17 rebounds and blocking
five shots.
But
things weren’t that easy throughout the game. Sagesse
led from the beginning and ended the first quarter with
four points up, 27-23. It increased the lead in the second
quarter with 4-of-6 three-pointers from Ford but Ittihad
tied at 40 and went up by two points. Sagesse, however,
regained the lead and ended the halftime with a five-point
edge, 54-49. Dani Barhoum, who replaced Rhodes in the
point, was called for three quick fouls and left his place
for Makki who had a steal and send two free throws in the
right time.
Rhodes
led the third quarter with two lay ups and two assists.
Elie Nasr was called for his fourth foul and left his
place to Balaa. Chamsine came in for Mechantaf, sank a
three-pointer and two free throws and grabbed three
rebounds. Chamsine and Balaa succeeded in their defensive
role and forced five Ittihad turnovers.
In
the fourth quarter, Sagesse started to widen the gap while
their opponent ran out of steam. Khatib had 10 points
while Mechantaf added 7, including a long three-pointer in
the last second. Sagesse had 12 steals in the second half
alone.
Starters:
Johnny
Rhodes, Elie Nasr, Elie Mechantaf, Fadi Khatib and
Assane N'Diaye.
Substitutes:
Dani
Barhoum, Sherrel Ford, Badre Makki, Ali Chamsine and Bassem
Balaa.
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