Riffa survive Al Najma scare

Riffa survived a late scare to escape with a narrow 78-71 victory over Al Najma last night in the Top Six Division of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League, currently being played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam. After leading for virtually the entire game, Riffa lost the advantage briefly early in the fourth quarter as Najma valiantly fought their way back.

But the victors were then able to make a decisive 7-0 run in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the contest to break a 69-all tie and seal the hard-earned victory. American professional Joseph Jones scored four points in the rally to help steer Riffa to the result. The win was their first in the Top Six after opening this stage with a loss. Najma, on the other hand, suffered their second straight defeat.

League action continues tonight with a titanic match-up in the Top Six between defending champions Muharraq and perennial contenders Al Ahli. It is scheduled for a 7.30pm tip-off at the same venue. Jones finished the game with 17 points coming off the bench for Riffa.

He also had a monster 18 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes of work. Captain at the recently held All-Star Game Subah Hussain was their top scorer with 20 points, including two three-pointers, before fouling out of the contest with just seconds remaining. Younes Kuwayed nearly contributed a triple-double for Riffa with 18 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. He was their only other player to score in double-figures.

Riffa once again took to the hard court without star forward Mohammed Kuwayed, but he is expected to return to action soon following a lengthy recovery from injury. Ali Jaber paced Najma in the loss with 18 points. He also had 13 rebounds and flirted with an unconventional triple-double after committing nine turnovers in the game. Fadalallah Abbas added 16 while Qassim Hassan had 14.

Import Lester Ferguson from the US chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds for Najma. Riffa went ahead 20-14 at the end of the opening quarter, and then extended their advantage to 43-30 at the half. But a poor third quarter allowed Najma back into the game and Riffa had only a 58-53 lead heading into the final canto. Najma continued to claw their way back into the game and took a 64-63 lead ov a Hassan lay-up with still over six minutes remaining.

But Riffa’s Hussain was able to reply and the teams continued to trade blows until a 69-all tie. That set the stage for Riffa’s crucial 7-0 run. Jones scored the first four points and then a free-throw from Ali Abbas and another Hussain basket sent them on their way to the win.