Al Riyadi Lebanon needed two periods of over-time to beat compatriots Sagesse 120-118 and lift the 26th Dubai International Basketball Tournament Cup – their sixth overall in the annual tournament – in front of a sell out crowd at Al Ahli Club on Saturday night.
Al Riyadi were expected to cruise to victory after Ahmad Ibrahim converted back-to-back triples which gave them a commanding 21-point lead, 53-32, in the middle of the third quarter but Sagesse did not go down easily without a fight and managed to cut down the lead to 12, 66-54, going into the final period.
American import and shooting guard Terrell Stoglin, who led all players with 58 points, scorched hot and almost single-handedly carried the comeback of Sagesse in the fourth quarter.
Stoglin made a couple of triples and converted crucial free throws to keep the game close, 84-82, with 25 seconds left in regulation period.
A split free throw by tournament MVP Jahmar Young gave Al Riyadi a three-point lead, 85-82; then in the next ball possession, Stoglin fired a triple to tie the game but missed.
Young was the main force for Riyadi in the extra minutes and gave the Beirut side a three-point lead, 96-93, with only four seconds left but Stoglin forced the game into another overtime after netting a triple.
Both teams showed no signs of fatigue in the second overtime and the game was very close up until the last second, when Al Riyadi converted a free throw to win the prestigious trophy.
The championship between the two Lebanese basketball heavyweights also became a veritable showdown between their American imports. Stoglin registered 58 points while Young finished with 48.
Stoglin was supported by Khazzouh who finished with 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Young got much support from Ahmad Ibrahim who finished with 28 and Ismail Ahmad who contributed 12 points and 20 rebounds.
Meanwhile Sale Club Morocco settled for third place after escaping And1 USA- SPL Selection, a crack team of American players, 94- 90.
Scorers
Al Riyadi Lebanon 120 – Jahmar Young 48; Ahmad Ibrahim 28; Ismail Ahmad 12; Wael Arakji 11; Jeremiah Massey 10 ;Ali Mahmoud 7; Amir Saoud 4.
Sagesse Club Lebanon 118 – Terrell Stoglin 58; Julian Khazzouh 17; Ezektel Marshall 13; Rodrigue Akl 10; Charles Thomas 7; Haig Gyokchyan 6; Elias Roustum 3; Daniel Faris 2; Elle Stephan 2.
