Najma outclass Bahrain Club in basketball league

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Al Najma claimed their first victory in the Top Six division of the 2021/2022 Zain Bahrain Basketball League last night following a hard-earned 101-91 victory over Bahrain Club at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

Najma were in control for much of the contest but Bahrain Club kept battling until the final buzzer, staying within striking distance till the end.

Najma, however, had a reply each time their opponents threatened to fight back, and they were able to come away with their first win in this stage of the season after back-to-back losses in their two previous games. Bahrain Club was playing their opening fixture at this stage.

Najma had a slow start to yesterday’s affair and Bahrain Club took advantage, going ahead with a slim, one-point lead, 22- 21, at the end of the first quarter.

But Najma came alive in the second period, outscoring their rivals 28-19 to head into the half up 49-41.

They continued to raise their play in the third quarter when they enjoyed their biggest lead of 19 points, 74-55, following an alley-oop from Mohammed Buallay to Canadian import Shane Osayande.

Najma then took a 74-63 advantage into the final period, where they continued to keep the lead but not without Bahrain Club attempting to make things interesting.

They were able to cut the deficit to single digits, 80-88, following two free throws by Rwandan professional Kenny Gasana, but that was as close as they got and Najma were able to close things out for the double-digit win.

Osayande top-scored for Najma with 36 points.

He also had 19 rebounds but fouled out late in the game.

Ali Jaber chipped in with 22 markers, while Nigerian Kenny Ejim scored 20, including four three-pointers.

Buallay helped orchestrate Najma’s offence in the game, finishing with 16 assists while contributing nine points.

For Bahrain Club, former NBA champion Dexter Pittman had 31 points and 13 rebounds.

Gasana finished with a triple-double in the loss with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Ali Abbas came off the bench to score 15, all from beyond the three-point line.

A few games in the league’s Top Six have been postponed due to multiple players testing positive for COVID-19 before their fixtures.

Action is scheduled to continue tonight with defending back-to-back champions Al Ahli facing Al Hala at 7 pm at the same venue.

Also, this evening, play in the Silver League will resume, with Sitra going up against Al Ettihad.

That game will be held at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam with a 5.30 pm tip-off.