Muharraq battle past Ahli

Muharraq overcame a late challenge from Al Ahli in a hard-earned 86-82 victory last night in the Top Six Division of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League, being played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam. The victors shrugged off a slow start and powered past their opponents with a strong third quarter before doing just enough to stave off an end-game rally from Ahli.

The win was the second in a row for Muharraq in this stage of the league while Ahli were dealt their first loss in two games. In attendance in last night’s contest was His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa along with Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) president Talal Kanoo and other high-ranking BBA officials.

Muharraq’s American professional Kevin Murphy, a former NBA player with the Utah Jazz, poured in 34 points to help spearhead his team in the win. He also had 10 rebounds and six assists but also committed seven turnovers. Bader Abdulla Malabes and Ahmed Hassan Aldurazi each scored 16, firing in seven three-pointers between them with Malabes connecting on four. Mohammed Buallay contributed 10 markers in the result.

For Ahli, US import Dexter Pittman, an ex-player in the NBA with the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Atlanta Hawks, paced them in the loss with 30 points and 15 rebounds. Hesham Sarhan had 19 and nine rebounds, Maytham Jameel added 17 and skipper Mohammed Qurban finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Al Ahli were the early aggressors, taking a 26-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But Muharraq roared back in the second quarter, when it was their turn to outscore their rivals by 10, to tie the proceedings heading into the half-time break. Five straight points from Murphy gave them a 39-37 lead but Ahli’s young guard Jassim Abul was able to score with a floater right before the buzzer. Muharraq continued their impressive play in the third quarter when they built a double-digit lead of up to 14 points in the last canto.

Ahli tried valiantly to narrow the deficit in the end and steal the win, and they came as close as three points with just seconds to play, but it was too little too late. League action continues on Saturday with two games in the Silver Division as Sitra take on Isa Town followed by Samaheej facing Nuwaidrat.

Then, on Sunday, two fixtures in the Top Six will be held, as Hala face off with Ahli in the first game followed by Al Najma taking on Muharraq.