AHMED Hassan buried a game-winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds to play to lift Muharraq to a stunning 77-75 victory over defending champions Manama last night in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Hassan’s basket was the culmination of a furious comeback by Muharraq in the final three minutes. They battled back from a 10-point deficit after Manama appeared to be headed to another fine victory.
Hassan Nowrooz made it 72-62 for the reigning title-holders, but Muharraq responded with a furious 10-0 run that included a Hassan triple, back-to-back baskets by Ali Shukhrallah and then a game-tying three from Bader Abdulla Malabes with 59.2 seconds on the clock.
Nowrooz countered with another triple to put Manama ahead once more at 75-72, but that paved the way for the Hassan heroics for Muharraq.
The lightning quick court general first had a pair of three-throws to bring them back to 74-75 with 38 seconds left, and then after a good stop on the defensive end, Hassan dribbled the clock out before firing in his game-winner right over the outstretched arm of Manama’s Ahmed Abdulaziz.
Manama had one last chance to tie or win the ball game, but forward Mohammed Qurban could not get off a good shot as the final buzzer sounded. Qurban claimed that he was fouled but his appeals fell on deaf ears.
Malabes and Hassan combined for 53 of Muharraq’s total points output. Malabes finished with 27 and shot a perfect seven-for-seven from beyond the three-point line. He was playing his first game back after nursing an injury. Hassan had 26 points including four three-pointers.
Paint
American professional Jordan Richard anchored the paint with 12 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Nowrooz and import Wayne Chism from the US finished with 17 points apiece to spearhead Manama. Chism also registered 16 rebounds and four steals in the loss.
Muharraq were the aggressors early in the contest as they took a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter which they turned to 37-27 at the half. Manama roared back and took command of the game with a fine third quarter, where they outscored Muharraq by 12 to go up 59-57.
With the result, Muharraq moved to solo first place on the top of the league standings with 20 points coming from 10 wins and one loss.
They also dealt Manama their first loss of the season, as they have nine wins.
In yesterday’s other game, Sitra escaped with a narrow 69-68 victory against Samaheej.
Williams Kenneth had 24 points and 24 rebounds to lead Sitra. Jassim Mohammed finished with 17 to pace Samaheej.
Sitra improved to a 5-6 win-loss record with 10 points in the middle of the table.Samaheej suffered their 11th successive defeat and are still in search of their first win and points.