Homenetmen secured their maiden Lebanese Basketball League title Tuesday after crushing four-time defending champions Riyadi 74-59 in Game 7 of the finals at Mezher.
Homenetmen maintained the trend of home court advantage playing a major role in the best-of-seven series, swarming all over Riyadi in a resoundingly one-sided affair.
Sam Young paced the champions with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Walter Hodge added 18 points and five boards.
Riyadi’s Mike Harris led all scorers with 22 points and 13 rebounds, with compatriot Shannon Shorter contributing 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.
After establishing a comfortable advantage at halftime, Homenetmen continued their scoring assault following a rip-roaring third quarter.
Hayk Gyokchyan hit a clutch 3-pointer as the hosts ended the third with an insurmountable 55-39 lead, sparking wild celebrations inside a jam-packed Mezher.
The fans were already in party mode as the final quarter got underway, while Homenetmen never let up in their surge to the title.
A Sam Young hook-shot made it 57-39 before Walter Hodge connected on triple to rub salt into the wounds of an ailing Riyadi.
The rout was verging on the embarrassing and Riyadi were left utterly red-faced when an intended pass from Ismail Ahmad to Young somehow looped over the defense and into the hoop.
Riyadi’s coach then threw in the proverbial towel, withdrawing his entire starting lineup as the Beirut side’s four-year reign came to a spectacular end.
The defeat also marked the first time Riyadi lost a finals series since going down 3-2 to Sagesse in 2004.
For Homenetmen, Tuesday’s win capped an inordinately successful campaign, the Arab Champions adding Lebanese League winners to their growing list of honors.
Karim Zeinoun cutting the net
Their was a bit of added history for Homenetmen coach Joe Moujaes, who became the first man to win the Lebanese League title both as a coach and player.
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source : DailyMail
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