BASKETBALL – Muharraq will seek to keep their winning streak going as they take on Al Ahli-Jeddah in their fifth Group A match of the 2023-24 West Asia Super League (WASL)-Gulf Region at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports Hall in Jeddah tonight.
The Bahraini club, who made their debut in the WASL this season, have won their last three games on the bounce after a defeat in their opening fixture and currently lie second in the four-team table with seven points, behind Kuwait Club, who also have seven points but are ahead because of cumulative points difference.
Runners-up to Manama – who are also the WASL defending champions after winning the inaugural title last June – in the 2022-23 Zain Basketball League as well as the 2022-23 Khalifa bin Salman Cup, Muharraq’s first game saw them lose 108-92 to Kuwait Club at home.
But Muharraq bounced back in style in their second game to overcome Al Ahli-Jeddah, 94-80, (currently last in the table with five points from one win and three defeats) also at home to register their first-ever WASL-Gulf Region win just two weeks later.
In mid-December, Muharraq notched up their second win in a row by defeating Qatar’s Al Rayyan (currently third in the standings with five points from one win and three defeats), 79-65, in Doha.
And, three weeks ago, the Bahraini club exacted revenge from Kuwait Club for their opening game loss by defeating them, 101-96, in the return fixture in Kuwait.
The star player for Muharraq in all four of their games thus far has been the 6’8” American power forward Tyler Wilkerson who has truly been on song this season, scoring 34 points to go along with 12 rebounds and four assists in the loss to Kuwait Club; 21 points with 14 rebounds and three assists in the win over Al Ahli-Jeddah; 19 points with two rebounds in the victory over Al Rayyan and 18 points, 16 rebounds and two assists in the return fixture win over Kuwait Club.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli-Jeddah had a torrid time in their first three games as they lost, 98-88, to Al Rayyan in their opening home fixture in mid-November; 94-80 to Muharraq in Bahrain two weeks later and 110-92 to Kuwait Club at home in mid-December.
The Saudi club finally managed to register their first win three weeks ago by defeating Al Rayyan, 89-84, in the return fixture in Doha.
The game is scheduled for an 8pm start.