HOLDERS Muharraq cruised to a resounding 96-79 victory over Al Ettihad in game one of their best-of-three semi-final series in the Khalifa bin Salman Cup.
The victors raced out to a 22-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. They enjoyed leads of as much as 24 points and gave their opponents no chance of a comeback.
The high-scoring Muharraq trio of Bader Abdulla Malabes, Ali Abbas and American professional Arnett Moultrie proved to be too much for Ettihad. They combined for 69 of their team’s points, nearly matching their rivals’ entire output in the game.
Moultrie top scored with 26 points but he also had 12 rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Malabes finished with 22 while burying four three-point shots, while Abbas contributed 21 markers.
For Ettihad, the pairing of Sayed Mohammed Hameed and US import Quinton Doggett did most of their work, combining for 62 points. Hameed was their leading scorer with 32.
Muharraq will be looking to close things out in game two on Monday, while game three, if needed is scheduled for Friday next week.
The other semi-final in the Cup is between Manama and Riffa. Manama drew first blood on Wednesday. Manama won 105-97 in game one, while game two is scheduled for Sunday while a third and deciding game, if necessary, is scheduled for Thursday next week.