The Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball delivered a one-sided but high-intensity contest on July 18, 2026, as Al Riyadi Beirut cruised to a commanding 90-65 victory over Antonine at Antonine's home floor. The result underscored the gulf in class between the perennial powerhouse and the mid-table side, with Al Riyadi dominating from tip-off to final buzzer.

Match Overview

From the opening quarter, Al Riyadi set the tone with relentless full-court pressure and crisp ball movement. By halftime, they had built a 48-30 lead, effectively neutralizing Antonine’s interior defense. The second half followed a similar script: Al Riyadi’s depth and experience proved too much for Antonine, whose attempts at a comeback were repeatedly snuffed out by timely three-pointers and transition buckets. The final 25-point margin accurately reflected Al Riyadi’s control throughout the 40 minutes.

Key Moments

• First quarter explosion (28-14): Al Riyadi opened with a 12-0 run, forcing Antonine to call an early timeout. The visitors shot 65% from the field in the period.
• Third-quarter dagger: After Antonine cut the deficit to 14 early in the third, Al Riyadi responded with an 11-2 spurt, capped by a step-back triple from their star guard, pushing the lead to 65-40.
• Empty bench minutes: With the game out of reach late, both teams emptied their benches, but Antonine could only muster 15 points in the final quarter against Al Riyadi’s second unit.

Standout Players

Al Riyadi Beirut had four players in double figures. Their American import forward scored 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing 4 assists. The veteran point guard contributed 16 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise. For Antonine, the bright spot was their shooting guard, who finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds, but lacked consistent support from the rest of the rotation.

Tactical Story

Al Riyadi’s game plan centered on attacking the paint early, drawing fouls, and then kicking out to shooters when Antonine collapsed. They outscored Antonine 46-26 in the paint and forced 18 turnovers leading to 24 fast-break points. Antonine relied heavily on mid-range jumpers, but struggled against Al Riyadi’s switching defense, shooting just 39% from the field.

Season Impact

For Al Riyadi Beirut, the win improved their record to a league-best 9-1, further cementing their status as the title favorite. They remain in a tight race with city rivals Beirut Club. Antonine dropped to 4-6, now sitting seventh in the 12-team table. While they have shown flashes of competitiveness, this defeat highlights the gap they must bridge to challenge the elite.

The Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball continues to produce entertaining matchups, and Al Riyadi’s dominant display served as a reminder of their championship pedigree. Both teams will look to build on this fixture as the season progresses toward the playoffs.