AL AHLI came away with a clinical 67-59 victory over fellow-title contenders Muharraq last night in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Ahli built a double-digit lead in the first half and did well to hold on to the advantage, despite the best efforts of a battling Muharraq.
The game was attended by Bahrain Basketball Association President Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Youth and Sports Minister Hisham Mohammed Al Jowder. It was played under a special theme in supporting breast cancer awareness. Both teams commemorated the occasion by wearing specially designed pink uniforms.
Versatile guard Hesham Sarhan spearheaded a balanced attack for Ahli in their win. He scored 16 points while also grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out five assists and registering three steals.
Forward Kadhem Majid contributed 14, while American import Quinton Doggett and court general Hussain Shaker each finished with 13 markers. Doggett also had 12 rebounds.
Ahli enjoyed a manageable 38-31 lead at the half-time break, but then enjoyed their biggest lead of 11 following a baseline jumper from Majed.
Muharraq tried hard to chip away at the lead and an Ahmed Hassan driving lay-up reduced the deficit to 49-55 heading into the final canto. But Ahli were just superior on the day and they managed to come up with the key plays down the stretch.
American professional Jordan Richard had 16 points and 18 rebounds to lead Muharraq in the losing effort. Bader Abdulla Malabes scored 14 as Muharraq’s only Bahraini player in double figures.
Campaign
Following the result, both teams enjoyed 5-1 win-loss records as Muharraq were dealt their first defeat of the new league campaign.
In yesterday’s other contest, Sitra defeated lowly Al Hidd 84-70. Sitra were led by Nigerian professional Augustine Okosun.
Sitra claimed their second win in five tries while winless Hidd suffered their fifth successive defeat.
Last night’s games were the culmination of the sixth week of action in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League’s preliminary round. Action continues on Tuesday next week.