MUHARRAQ barged into the final of the 2018/2019 Zain Bahrain Basketball League last night following a 93-81 victory over Al Ahli at the Khalifa Sports City arena in Isa Town.
The winners used a 35-point third quarter to take control of a close game and build a 20-point lead heading into the final canto. Ahli valiantly tried to fight back but could not get out of the Muharraq stranglehold. The result sealed Muharraq’s two-game sweep of their best-of-three Golden Square semi-final series.
Muharraq now returns to the league’s best-of-five championship round in which they last played in 2017. They ousted Ahli who were the losing finalists from last season.
Muharraq next takes on the winners of the other Golden Square match-up between defending national champions Manama and fellow-title hopefuls Riffa. Manama lead their best-of-three tiff 1-0. Game two is scheduled for this evening, tipping off at 7.30pm at the same venue.
Muharraq next takes on the winners of the other Golden Square match-up between defending national champions Manama and fellow-title hopefuls Riffa. Manama lead their best-of-three tiff 1-0. Game two is scheduled for this evening, tipping off at 7.30pm at the same venue.
Muharraq were red hot from the perimeter in yesterday’s win. They fired in 13 three-pointers, dwarfing Ahli’s five, which alone gave them a 24-point advantage. Bader Abdulla Malabes was on fire with six triples, while Mohammed Juma’a had four, American Kevin Murphy added two and Bahraini guard Ahmed Hassan Aldurazi had one.
The victors got off to a strong start and led 25-16 at the end of the opening period. Ahli managed to reduce the deficit in the second and trailed 35-41 at the half.
Muharraq then enjoyed a lopsided third quarter, outscoring their rivals by 14 points and building a nearly insurmountable 76-56 advantage with the final canto to play. In the fourth, Muharraq enjoyed their biggest lead of 22 following a Murphy turn-around jump shot, but Ahli did not go down without a fight. They battled until the very end but never got any closer than 13 points.
The victors got off to a strong start and led 25-16 at the end of the opening period. Ahli managed to reduce the deficit in the second and trailed 35-41 at the half.
Muharraq then enjoyed a lopsided third quarter, outscoring their rivals by 14 points and building a nearly insurmountable 76-56 advantage with the final canto to play. In the fourth, Muharraq enjoyed their biggest lead of 22 following a Murphy turn-around jump shot, but Ahli did not go down without a fight. They battled until the very end but never got any closer than 13 points.
Most of Muharraq’s damage came from the starters, with the combination of Murphy, Malabes and Juma’a once again finishing as their top-scoring trio.
Murphy posted 32 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists, while Malabes had 21 with six rebounds. Juma’a finished with 15 markers. American big man CJ Giles contributed a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds along with three blocked shots before fouling out late. Muharraq’s bench finished with just six points in the contest.
Pacing Ahli was American Marcel Jones, who poured in a game-high 42 points while grabbing 14 rebounds. He got little help from elsewhere. Jordanian Zaid Abbas had 12 points and 14 boards, while skipper
Murphy posted 32 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists, while Malabes had 21 with six rebounds. Juma’a finished with 15 markers. American big man CJ Giles contributed a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds along with three blocked shots before fouling out late. Muharraq’s bench finished with just six points in the contest.
Pacing Ahli was American Marcel Jones, who poured in a game-high 42 points while grabbing 14 rebounds. He got little help from elsewhere. Jordanian Zaid Abbas had 12 points and 14 boards, while skipper
Hesham Sarhan and backcourt mate Ali Aqeel both had nine.
In yesterday’s other game, Samaheej had a last-gasp 75-74 win over Al Etihad in the league’s Silver division. Mujtaba Ismaeel buried a go-ahead three-pointer that broke a 72-all tie with eight seconds remaining. American Mark St Fort led the winners with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Serbian big man Mile Ilic had 23 and 18 to pace Etihad.
In a Silver division game today, Al Hala take on Bahrain Club at 5.30pm.
In yesterday’s other game, Samaheej had a last-gasp 75-74 win over Al Etihad in the league’s Silver division. Mujtaba Ismaeel buried a go-ahead three-pointer that broke a 72-all tie with eight seconds remaining. American Mark St Fort led the winners with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Serbian big man Mile Ilic had 23 and 18 to pace Etihad.
In a Silver division game today, Al Hala take on Bahrain Club at 5.30pm.