Manama, Ahli claim season-opening wins

TDT | Manama                          

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Manama and arch-rivals Al Ahli opened the 2022/2023 season of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League with contrasting victories last night. Manama cruised past Samaheej 89-67 while Ahli used a furious 17-0 rally to end the game in a come-from-behind 93-83 victory against Al Najma. Both contests were played at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. In Manama’s win, the title-holders were playing without an import, but that didn’t stop them from asserting their dominance.

Manama built a double-digit lead at the end of the opening quarter, 26-16, and never looked back. They were up 42-30 at the half, and remained ahead 63- 49 heading into the final canto, when they enjoyed their biggest lead of 25 points. Five players finished in double figures, paced by point guard Ahmed Salman with 18 points, who fired in five three-pointers in the game.

Hasan Nowrooz chipped in with 17, while newcomer Ahmed Hassan Aldurazi and Mohammed Ameer each finished with 13 points. Ameer also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Ahmed Najaf contributed 11 points in the win. For Samaheej, American Stephen Hurt had 21 points and 14 rebounds in the loss, while Mohamed Hassan added 18 and Basel Adel 14. In Ahli’s stunning triumph, Najma enjoyed a narrow 28- 23 advantage after the opening period but then Ahli were able to narrow the gap to just two, 40-42, heading into the locker rooms.

Nicholas Jeffrey from the US helped Najma take a 70-67 lead after the third quarter, but in the fourth, Ahli took charge. A pair of Subah Hussain freethrows tied the game at 83-all and then a Hesham Sarhan lay-up gave Ahli the lead for good. Those baskets were part of Ahli’s game-changing 17-0 run that erased a 76-83 deficit with five minutes left.

Najma were unable to find an answer in that span as they lost any momentum. Sarhan finished as Ahli’s leading scorer with 27 points, including five triples. Mohammed Kowayed added 22 markers, while Ali Aqeel contributed 14 and Hussain and Davon Jefferson scored 13 apiece.

Jeffery had a game-high 41 points and 26 rebounds while Hussain Shaker, Mohammed Hussain, Abdulrahman Ghali and Hussain Mohammed all had nine markers for Najma in the loss. The first week of league action continues today and tomorrow. This evening, Sitra take on Isa Town at 5.30pm while Bahrain Club face Al Hala at 7.30pm. Tomorrow, Nuwaidrat face off with Muharraq at 7.30pm.