AHMED Jamal sank three pressure-packed free-throws to help lift Al Hala to a narrow 83-78 victory over Nuwaidrat last night in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
With Hala holding a slim 80-78 advantage and with only 23 seconds remaining on the game clock, Jamal first split a pair of charities and then later on buried another two to peg the final score. His end-game heroics were on either side of a missed Hasan Madan attempt from beyond the arc, which was a potential game-tying basket for Nuwaidrat.
It was too close of an ending for Hala, who squandered a double-digit lead in the final canto before doing just enough to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s under-18 national team outclassed Isa Town 91-70 in yesterday’s other league fixture.
The nationals had a strong first quarter which they ended 18-5 in front, and did enough to hold on to their lead from there.
Both of last night’s games were played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam and they capped the third week of action in the 2018/2019 season.
In Hala’s game against Nuwaidrat, the victors were in control for much of the contest, and after a Mahmood Aziz three-pointer made it 73-61 with six-and-a-half minutes left in the final canto, it appeared that Hala were set for the night.
Interesting
Nuwaidrat had different plans, however, and they made things interesting, going on a 10-3 run to get back to within five, 71-76. Both teams continued to trade baskets until two Hassan Abbas free-throws brought Hala to within a basket 78-80.
That set the stage for Jamal’s three free-throws that iced the win for Hala.
Hasan Gerashi had 20 points, including three triples, to spearhead the Hala attack. Jamal and American professional Jalen Robinson contributed 19 apiece with Robinson also taking down 14 rebounds. Nasser Almosawi had a fine double-double with 12 markers and 14 boards.
Nuwaidrat were paced by Serbian-Macedonian big man Nenad Zivcevic who had 28 points and 12 rebounds. Ebrahim Albasri was their only other player in double-figures with 21, including four three-pointers.
In the under-18 national team’s win, Mozamel Ameer was once again a force in the paint as he scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had three steals and three assists. Ali Hussain contributed 14 off the bench while Rashid Ahmed had 12 and Ali Jaber 11.
The Bahrainis enjoyed leads as high as 23 points en route to the win.
American Gavin Thurman single-handedly tried to carry his club but his 35-point, 11-rebound effort was not nearly enough.
League action continues on Monday.