MANAMA cruised past Al Hala 94-67 last night in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
The defending champions surprisingly turned what was expected to be a tightly contested game into an one-sided affair, dominating from the opening quarter and showing the depth and quality of their roster.
Manama enjoyed a 29-19 advantage at the end of the first quarter and stretched it to 48-35 at the interval.
They then blew the game wide open with their second 29-point quarter of the game to enjoy a 77-52 lead heading into the final canto. They then took their biggest lead of the contest at 29 points.
Manama had five players score in double-figures, and only one of their 12-man roster did not make it onto the scoresheet.
Sharp-shooting guard Hassan Nowrooz had 22 points to lead the boys in blue. Mohammed Quwayed came off the bench to contribute 13. Maytham Jameel, Mohammed Ameer and American professional Wayne Chism finished the game with 10 points each.
For Hala, US import and former NBA veteran Loren Woods scored 23 points and made 16 rebounds in the losing effort. Hasan Gerashi was their only other player in double figures with 10 points.
Dropped
With this victory, Manama moved back to first place on the standings with a 19-1 win-loss record and 39 points. Hala dropped to 13-7 with 33 points and stay among the top six.
In yesterday’s other game at Zain Basketball Arena, Al Ettihad comfortably beat Al Hidd 89-63.
Hidd were the early aggressors and led by as many as 10 points in the opening half, but things quickly changed with a 29-11 second quarter that gave Ettihad a 43-32 advantage heading into the locker room.
After a see-saw third period, the victors imposed their will in the final quarter when they outscored their rivals 24-8 and enjoyed a biggest lead of 28.
Antawn Wilkerson and Ali Ghadeer combined for 50 big points. Wilkerson finished with 26, including three three-pointers and 10 rebounds. Ghadeer had nine rebounds plus five assists and four steals.
Hasan Fahad added 12 points and Sayed Hashim Wadaei 10, both off the bench.
Troy Jones led Hidd with 41 big points and 17 rebounds and four steals. Hussain Lulu finished with nine markers, six assists and seven turnovers.
Ettihad have a 11-9 win-loss record and 31 points while Hidd 2-18 and 22 points.
League action continues tonight with Muharraq Club taking on Sitra at 6pm, to be followed by Isa Town and Samaheej clashing at 7.45pm.