Al Hala, Bahrain Club claim crucial victories in basketball

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Al Hala and Bahrain Club both claimed crucial victories last night in the Top Six division of the 2021/2022 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.

Al Hala posted a hard-earned 99-92 overtime victory over Muharraq while Bahrain Club beat defending back-to-back champions Al Ahli 92-73.

With the results, both Hala and Bahrain Club stayed in contention for a place in the Golden Square semi-finals.

Ahli, Manama and Muharraq are already assured of their berths, according to a head-to-head point-differential system.

The last spot is being vied for between Hala and Bahrain Club.

That will be determined in the concluding game of the Top Six on Thursday when Muharraq face-off with Manama.

A Manama win over Muharraq will put Hala through, while a Muharraq victory will give Bahrain Club the berth.

In the Golden Square, the top seed will play the fourth seed, while the second take on third, both in best-of-three match-ups.

In Hala’s win last night, they fought back from a 35-47 deficit at the half to tie the game at 88-all at the end of regulation.

American professional Brian Halums forced the extra session after burying a three-pointer with 10 seconds to play.

Then, in overtime, it was all Hala as they scored the first six points and never looked back. Muharraq went ice cold from the field in the five-minute period, and scored only four points, all from the free-throw line. Halums finished with a game-high 46 points for the winners, while also grabbing 12 rebounds. Countryman Anthony McClain added 17 points and 17 boards, while guard Hussain Salman chipped in with 14.

For Muharraq, Bader Abdulla Malabes scored 29, including a red hot seven triples.

Serbian import Boris Savovic added 18 while Dewayne Jackson from the U.S. had 16.

Hala posted their second win in five games as they ended the Top Six round with seven points on the six-team standings.

Muharraq suffered their second loss and went to six points, with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Club started strong and finished with a flurry in their triumph over Ahli.

They led 23-13 at the end of the first quarter and then outscored their rivals 25-16 in the final canto to finish with the big win.

Former NBA champion Dexter Pittman had 32 points and 19 rebounds for the victors.

Rwandan teammate Kenny Gasana contributed 24.

Ahli, who were playing without a professional, had 22 points apiece from Ahmed Aldurazi and Mohammed Kuwayed.