MANAMA and Riffa were both victorious last night as the second week of action got underway in the 2019/2020 Zain Bahrain Basketball League, being played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam.
Manama romped past Isa Town 120-54 while Riffa were 71-55 victors over Sitra. Both teams claimed their second victories of the new season.
League action continues today and tomorrow at the same venue.
In Manama’s win, the former champions jumped on their rivals from the opening tip and were already ahead by more than 20, 36-15, at the end of the first quarter.
At the half, they had extended their lead to 61-33 before completely dominating the third period where they outscored Isa Town 33-6 to go ahead 94-39. In the final canto, it was a walk in the park for Manama as they enjoyed leads as big as 69 points.
Sharp-shooting guard Hasan Nowrooz came off the bench to lead all scorers with 27 points. Captain Ahmed Aziz added 18 markers, while Christopher McKnight had 12 in the win. Hussain Shaker finished with 11 and Ahmed Najaf 10.
All but one of Manama’s 12-man roster made it onto the score sheet.
Habib Sami paced Isa Town with 11 while Sayed Saleh Mahdi chipped in with 10 as they suffered their second successive defeat.
Meanwhile, in Riffa’s win, they gradually built their final winning margin in each of the four quarters. At the end of the first, they were up 19-13, which they turned to a 37-27 advantage at the break. In the third, they moved in front 53-38 before cruising in the fourth to close things out.
Contributions
Ali Jassim had 22 points, including four three-pointers, to lead Riffa. Import Rickey Young added 19 points, 22 rebouds and three blocks, while Younes Kuwayed had 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Sitra also suffered their second defeat to start the 2019/2020 campaign.
In tonight’s matches, Al Ettihad take on Bahrain Club at 6pm followed at 7.45pm by Al Najma taking on Al Ahli.
Tomorrow, the second week concludes with another two contests, beginning with Nuwaidrat facing Samaheej at 6pm and then defending champions Muharraq facing Al Hala at 7.45pm.