BASKETBALL – Al Hala came away with a narrow 102-97 victory over Al Najma last night in their Premier League clash of the 2024-25 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Ahmed Bin Daina buried two crucial free-throws with just 13 seconds remaining to lift his team at Zain Basketball Arena as Najma pulled to within two points. Bin Daina’s charity shots made it 100-96, and after Robert Lowery split his free-throws on the other end of the floor, Abdulqader Thani pegged the final score for Hala with another two baskets from the stripe.
Hala overturned an early onslaught from Najma who erupted for 35 points in the first quarter. Hala replied with 34 points in the second to turn a 24-35 deficit to a 58-52 advantage at the half. They continued their strong play in the third, where they took their biggest lead of the night of 16 points with two free-throws from Alex Young, and headed into the final frame up 80-69.
They did enough in the concluding 10 minutes to come away with the victory, fending off Najma, who stayed within striking distance throughout the quarter.
Young top scored for Hala with 33 points while Bin Daina added 26. Thani contributed 13 and Hussain Salman had 12 off the bench. Tyler Wilkerson scored 26 for Najma while Robert Lowery added 24 in the loss.
Hala claimed their fourth win in 11 games with the result, while Najma suffered their sixth loss, also in 11 outings.
League action continues tonight with one game on schedule. Three-time defending champions Manama take on Al Ettihad at 11pm in a Premier League clash at the same venue.
Then, on Saturday, Muharraq and Al Ahli lock horns at 9pm, also in the Premier League, followed by a League B affair between Sitra and Nuwaidrat at 11pm. On Sunday, Bahrain Club and Isa Town face off at 9.30pm, also in League B.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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