MUHARRAQ and Al Najma last night scored comfortable victories in two high-scoring Group ‘A’ matches of the Bahrain Basketball Association Cup at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam, reports Vijay Mruthyunjaya.
Both Muharraq and Al Najma were in rutheless mood as they thorouhgly dominated their matches from start to finish.
Muharraq were, in fact, merciless as they scored an astounidng 41 points in the first quareter itself to gain a stronghold, and from there on they were on song winning the second quarter 27-19.
They relaxed a bit in the third quarter as Al Ettihad could finally offer some resistance and win it 28-21. But it was too little too late for Ettihad as Muharraq turned on the heat in the last canto, winning it 28-13 to seal the match in style.
American import Kevin Murphy was once again the motor behind Muharraq’s irresistable charge scoring 42 points, including five three-pointers, while Ali Rabeea contributed 18 and Ahmed Aldurazi 15.
For Ettihad, Hassan Fahad top scored with 20 while Ali Ghadeer (15) and Ali Helal (13) were the other main contributors.
Al Najma were equally dominant in the other Group ‘A’ match though the margin of victory against Sitra was much narrow compared to Muharraq’s.
They were off to a fast start, winning the first quarter 30-19 and though they suffered a setback in the second (20-28), the initial momentum they had gained propelled them a 27-23 and 29-21 wins in the third and fourth and with it a 106-91 victory.
Al Jaber (26), Hussain Mohammed (22) and Ali Turabi (15) were the architects of Al Najma victory.
Milos Macura was the hero in a lost cause for Sitra as he top scored with 37 points while Mohammed Abdulla contributed 20.
TODAY’S MATCHES
GROUP B
5.30pm – Al Hala vs Manama 7.15pm – Riffa vs Samaheej