MUHARRAQ and Al Ahli were both victorious last night as the fourth week of action resumed in the 2018/2019 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Muharraq posted a 90-75 victory over Al Najma while Ahli were 79-69 winners against Al Ettihad. Both games were played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam.
Muharraq enjoyed a strong start in the game and led 22-16 at the end of the first quarter, which they extended to 48-33 at the half. But Najma battled back in the third period and thrice came to within three points, although were never able to get any closer. Muharraq took a 66-53 advantage into the final quarter, and did well to close the game out for their fourth win in as many games.
Point guard Ahmed Hassan led all scorers with 34 points for Muharraq. He buried three triples and also dished out five assists in 40 minutes of work. Backcourt mate Bader Abdulla Malabes chipped in with 16 points including four three-pointers.
Former NBA big man Sean Williams contributed 14 points, 16 rebounds and six blocked shots; while young star Mohammed Jumaa had 11 markers and 12 rebounds off the bench.
American Kevin Rogers was the top man for Najma in defeat. He finished the game with 30 points, including three triples, and 14 rebounds. Fadalallah Abbas had 14 markers, while Hussain Mohammed and Mohammed Buallay both finished with 10. Buallay almost registered an impressive triple-double in the loss, as he also had 10 rebounds and dished out nine assists.
Najma suffered their third loss in four outings.
Control
Meanwhile, Ahli had a good start and were virtually in control for the entire game against Ettihad. They had an 18-10 lead after the first which went to 33-28 at the interval.
They extended their advantage once more in the third when they enjoyed their biggest lead of 15 points, 52-37, on a Sayed Hashim Habib lay-up. They ended the quarter up 57-45, and then cruised in the fourth en route to the final buzzer.
American import Marcel Jones poured in 28 points for Ahli. He buried four baskets from beyond the arc, and nearly had his own triple-double with 19 rebounds and seven assists. Jones’s all-around effort also included three blocks and two steals while playing the entire game.
Hesham Sarhan and Habib both added 12 points in the win.
For Ettihad, Serbian big man Mile Ilic was held to just six points on one-for-seven shooting from the field. He did however have 25 rebounds in the contest.
Sayed Mohammed Hameed top scored with 20, while Hassan Helal and Hashem Alwadaie both added 14 points.
Ahli clinched their third win in four games while Ettihad suffered their second defeat to go with two wins.
League action continues this evening with the final day of the fourth week. Sitra take on Bahrain’s under-18 national team at 6pm, followed at 7.45pm by Al Hala facing Riffa Club.