MUHARRAQ came alive late in the game last night in a dramatic 84-77 overtime victory over Al Ahli to advance to the semi-finals of the Khalifa bin Salman Cup.
The mouth-watering match-up between two of the kingdom’s top basketball clubs lived up to its billing, and the packed crowd at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam were treated to one of the most exciting games of the season.
Ahli appeared to be headed to a surprisingly easy victory as they boasted a 12-point lead, 63-51, with just over four minutes to play.
But Muharraq made a furious rally in which they outscored their rivals 14-2 to forge a 65-all deadlock at the end of regulation and send the game into overtime.
They carried their momentum into the extra session and took advantage of the absence of Ahli’s seven-foot, two-inch newly signed centre Loren Woods, who fouled out in the opening minute. Muharraq led in overtime by as many as nine points.
American professional Arnett Moultrie had a monster effort for the winners in the game with 27 points, 19 rebounds and three steals while playing all 45 minutes. Sweet-shooting guard Ali Abbas chipped in with 16, while versatile forwards Mohammed Buallay and Mohammed Juma’a added 13 and 11, respectively.
Ahli were led in the loss by the 27 markers of talented guard Hesham Sarhan. Former Muharraq skipper Mohammed Hassan added 16 points, including four three pointers and nine rebounds. Woods was held to just eight points but he did grab 20 boards.
Muharraq now move on to face Al Ettihad in the semi-finals of the Cup competition, while Ahli are eliminated from further contention.
Heading into yesterday’s clash, both teams were missing key players. Muharraq were without inspiration point guard Ahmed Hassan, while Ahli’s own court general Hussain Shaker was also not available.
After a tight opening period, Ahli took control of the game with a 28-15 second quarter that gave them a comfortable 41-27 advantage at half-time.
Muharraq slowly chipped away at the deficit in the third period as they fought back to within single digits, 47-55, with only the final canto left to play. In the fourth, Ahli remained in the driver’s seat and they went up 63-51 on a Kadhem Majed three-pointer with just under five minutes to go in the game. That set the stage for Muharraq’s game-changing comeback.
Three straight points from Juma’a and back-to-back baskets from Moultrie and lightning quick guard Jawad Abdullah made it seven unanswered points for Muharraq as they now faced a 58-63 deficit.
Sarhan then made two free-throws for Ahli, but they were matched by Abdullah and then Muharraq’s Abbas made a crucial steal and lay-up to make it 62-65 with two minutes 13 seconds to play. Muharraq were now on a roll and three successive free-throws from Moultrie tied the proceedings at 65-apiece with 48 seconds to go.
Sarhan and Abbas both had chances to bury potential game-winning baskets for their respective sides, but both shots clanked off the rim, sending the game into overtime.
It was all Muharraq from there.
Muharraq’s semi-final clash with Ettihad is on the left side of the tournament bracket, while the other semi-final on the right side is between league champions Manama and Riffa. Both games have yet to be scheduled by the Bahrain Basketball Association.