AL AHLI cruised while Al Najma finished strong as both teams emerged victorious last night during the 10th week of action in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.
Ahli enjoyed an easy 100-59 win over Samaheej Club while Najma used a decisive fourth quarter showing to pull away for an 85-72 triumph over Sitra Club.
Ahli outscored Samaheej 37-14 in the third quarter en route to a big 41-point victory.
American professional Quinton Doggett topscored with 28 points. Ali Aqeel added 20, Subah Hussain had 16, Ali Abdulkarim finished with 11 and Essa Ebrahim 10.
Samaheej were led by the 23 points of Mohammed Busafwan, who also had five three-pointers and four steals.
With the result, Ahli returned to solo first place with a 9-1 win-loss record and 18 points on the league standings. Samaheej remained on zero markers as they stayed winless in nine games.
Meanwhile, Najma need a 32-pint output in the final period, while holding their rivals to just 17, to turn a narrow 53-51 advantage to the 13-point winning deficit at the final buzzer.
Mohammed Buallay top scored for Najma with 21 points, including four three-pointers. He also had six rebounds and eight assists. American import Haminn Quantance contributed a monster 20 points, 21 rebounds, three steals and two blocks; while Mohammed Alboosta had 17.
Mohammed Abdulla had 16 points to pace Sitra in defeat. Abdulla Ali and Nasser Almosawi had 15 apiece.
Najma improved to a 4-5 win-loss record for eight poomts, while Sitra suffered their sixth loss to go with three wins.