The Al Riyadi Beirut juggernaut continued its dominant march through the 2026 Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball season with a commanding 98–71 victory over cross-city rivals Beirut Club on Thursday night. Playing in front of a packed and passionate home crowd, Riyadi turned a competitive first half into a one-sided demolition after the break, reminding everyone why they remain the team to beat in Lebanese basketball.

From the opening tip, the intensity was palpable between two clubs that share a fierce local rivalry. Beirut Club, eager to upset the defending champions, matched Al Riyadi’s energy in the first quarter, trading buckets and keeping the margin within single digits. However, the home side’s superior depth and execution began to show in the second period, and by halftime, Al Riyadi had carved out a 48–41 lead.

The third quarter was where the game was truly won. Al Riyadi came out of the locker room with a defensive intensity that completely suffocated Beirut Club’s offensive sets. A 13–2 run early in the third stretched the lead to 18 points, and the visitors never recovered. The margin only grew from there, with Riyadi’s bench providing excellent support to keep the foot on the gas. The final score of 98–71 reflected a complete performance in every facet of the game.

Key Moments That Decided the Contest

• Third-quarter surge: Al Riyadi opened the second half with a 15–4 run, turning a seven-point halftime lead into an 18-point advantage within five minutes. Beirut Club called two timeouts but could not stem the tide.
• Defensive lockdown: Riyadi forced seven turnovers in the third quarter alone and held Beirut Club to just 13 points in the period, effectively dismantling their offensive rhythm.
• Fast-break dominance: Al Riyadi converted multiple steals into easy transition baskets, outscoring Beirut Club 24–8 on fast-break points for the game.

Standout Performances

For Al Riyadi, the backcourt duo was superb. The lead guard finished with 22 points and 8 assists, controlling the tempo and finding open teammates with precision. The team’s frontcourt anchor added a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. On the opposing side, Beirut Club’s import guard tried to keep his team afloat with 25 points, but he lacked consistent support as no other visitor reached double figures until garbage time.

Tactical Stories That Shaped the Game

Al Riyadi’s game plan was clear from the start: attack the rim and collapse Beirut Club’s defense to create open three-point looks. They succeeded in drawing fouls early, putting the visitors in the bonus with over four minutes left in the first quarter. The inside-out approach kept the defense off balance and allowed Riyadi to shoot 41% from beyond the arc. Defensively, they switched aggressively on screens and denied entry passes, forcing Beirut Club into contested mid-range jumpers.

The visitors struggled to find any offensive cohesion in the second half. Their primary scorer was often double-teamed, and the supporting cast failed to knock down open looks. Al Riyadi’s ability to extend pressure full-court after made baskets also disrupted any flow Beirut Club tried to establish.

Impact on the League Standings

The victory improved Al Riyadi Beirut’s record to an impressive 14–2, keeping them firmly atop the Lebanese league table. For Beirut Club, now at 9–7, the loss serves as a sobering reminder of the gap between themselves and the championship favorites. With the regular season heading into its crucial final weeks, every result matters in determining playoff seeding, and this emphatic win sends a clear message to the rest of the league.