In a thrilling encounter at the Fouad Chehab Stadium, Sagesse Al Hekmeh Beirut edged past Club Central Jounieh 100–93 in a high-scoring Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball affair. The match, played on July 14, 2026, showcased offensive firepower from both sides, but Sagesse’s composure down the stretch sealed a vital road victory.

Match Overview

The game began at a frenetic pace, with both teams trading baskets in the opening quarter. Central Jounieh, playing on home turf, relied on their inside presence, while Sagesse countered with sharpshooting from beyond the arc. By halftime, the visitors held a narrow 52–48 lead. The third quarter saw Jounieh rally, briefly taking a two-point advantage, but Sagesse responded with an 8–0 run to regain control heading into the final period.

Key Moments and Tactical Story

• Sagesse’s fourth-quarter poise: With the score tied at 85–85 with four minutes remaining, Sagesse guard Elie Rustom drained a step-back three-pointer, igniting a decisive 12–3 surge.
• Jounieh’s foul trouble: Central Jounieh’s starting center picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, forcing him to sit for extended minutes, which opened the paint for Sagesse’s drives.
• Free-throw battle: Sagesse shot 22-of-26 from the line (84.6%), while Jounieh struggled at 14-of-22, a critical eight-point difference that ultimately decided the game.

Standout Players

Sagesse Al Hekmeh Beirut: Forward Ahmad Ibrahim led all scorers with 28 points and 10 rebounds, dominating in the mid-range. Guard Ali Mansour contributed 22 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise. Center Karim Azar added a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards, anchoring the interior.

Club Central Jounieh: Import guard Marcus Thompson poured in 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, but his four turnovers in the fourth quarter proved costly. Local star Hassan Kobeissy chipped in 19 points and 8 assists, though he fouled out with 1:30 left. Big man Rony Fahed recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.

Season Impact

The victory improved Sagesse’s record to 5–2, keeping them in the upper tier of the Lebanese Basketball League standings. For Central Jounieh, the loss dropped them to 4–3, putting pressure on them ahead of a challenging road trip. With both clubs expected to contend for playoff positioning, this result could prove crucial when tiebreakers are calculated later in the season.