QASSIM Hassan converted a game-winning lay-up with one second remaining to lift Al Najma to a thrilling 81-80 victory over Al Hala last night in the 2018/2019 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Hassan’s basket stunned their opponents, who just three seconds earlier had taken an 80-79 lead with a Nasser Almosawi lay-up on the opposite end of the court.
Najma were able to escape with the win despite a sluggish fourth quarter where they were outscored by Hala by 12 points.
Meanwhile, Muharraq enjoyed a 115-76 rout against Sitra in last night’s other game. Muharraq built a big lead early and never looked back.
Both of yesterday’s contests were played at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. They wrapped up the eighth week of action in the 2018/2019 season.
In Najma’s big win, it was a close game all through the first half. Najma held a slim 21-20 advantage after the first period, but then Hala took the lead into the half-time break at 38-35.
In the third, however, Najma took command and went comfortably ahead 67-54 with one quarter remaining. Hala were able to fight back in the fourth, gradually chipping away at the deficit until Almosawi made a basket with a minute and 25 seconds remaining to give his team a 78-77 advantage. American professional Kevin Rogers answered to give Najma a one-point lead with 21 seconds on the clock. That set the stage for the final two baskets of the game from Almosawi and Hassan.
Rogers finished the affair with 31 points and 12 rebounds to lead Najma. Hassan followed suit with 21 markers. Ali Jaber and Mohammed Buallay both had nine points apiece. Buallay was just one point shy of registering a triple-double, as he also posted 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Jalen Robinson from the US topscored for Hala with 34 points and 17 rebounds. Hasan Gerashi and Ahmed Jamal chipped in with 13 each in the loss.
In Muharraq’s game against Sitra, the victors raced out to a massive 61-32 cushion at the half and enjoyed leads as big as 44 points before closing out the win.
Ahmed Hassan Aldurazi led five players in double figures with 25 points, including four three-pointers. American Sean Williams added 18 points, 12 rebounds and a whopping eight blocked shots.
Ali Abbas chipped in with 17 including a perfect three-for-three from beyond the arc, while Sayed Kadhem Majed added 13 and Mohammed Hassan Aldurazi 10 in the win. Hussain Taqi led Sitra with 21 points, while Abdulla Ali had 18.
League action continues next week, but prior to that, the BBA is set to host the All-Star Festival on Sunday and Monday.