Muharraq, Al Hala claim big victories

Muharraq and Al Hala both claimed big wins yesterday to start the 11th week of play in the 2021/2022 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.

Muharraq enjoyed a high-scoring 145-108 rout of Isa Town, while Hala took care of business against Sitra in a 112- 97 victory.

Both games were played at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. Muharraq had a strong start to their contest and already had a commanding 74-49 lead at the half.

They did not let up over the final two periods, going ahead by as many as 42 points in the last quarter following a Hamad Othman three-pointer that made it 137-95 with over two minutes remaining. Muharraq had a balanced attack, with seven players finishing in double figures.

Their leading scorers both came off the bench, with Abdulla Rabeea and Mahmood Abbas Isa scoring 21 points apiece. Rabeea had an impressive four three-pointers in the game.

American Dewayne Jackson and Sayed Mohammed Hameed both contributed 19 markers, while Bader Abdulla Malabes had 18, Baqer Isa 13 and Hussain Shaker 12.

Mohammed Nabeel led Isa Town with 30 points, while Mansoor Jaber finished with 25 and Hussain Faraj 18 in the loss.

With the result, Muharraq improved to a 7-3 win-loss record while Isa Town were dealt their 10th straight loss as they stayed winless in last place on the standings.

Meanwhile, in Hala’s triumph, they took a quick double-digit lead after the first quarter and never looked back.

They ended the half ahead 59-41 and stretched their advantage to as high as 26 early in the last canto, before cruising in the final moments to allow Sitra to narrow the gap.

American Amir Williams and Hasan Gerashi were Hala’s top scorers with 23 points each.

Williams also had a monster 22 rebounds, while Gerashi buried four triples.

 Hussain Salman chipped in with 17, as did Ahmed Khalifa off the bench. Marcel Jones scored 32 for Sitra while also taking down 14 rebounds. Ali Eid scored 19 and Mohammed Abdulla 16.

Hala claimed their fifth win and improved to a 5-5 record, while Sitra suffered their seventh loss to go with three wins.

League action continues tonight with another two games on the cards.

At 5.30pm, Nuwaidrat play Bahrain Club followed at 7.30pm by Al Ettihad taking on Samaheej.

Tomorrow, this week’s events will wrap up with a titanic match-up between defending back-to-back champions Al Ahli and arch-rivals Manama, scheduled for a 7pm tip-off.