Muharraq claim tight win over Ahli

TDT | Manama                             

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Muharraq eked out a hard-earned 84-79 victory over fellow-title hopefuls Al Ahli last night to wrap up the 15th week of play in the 2022/2023 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.

The game took place at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. With Muharraq leading by just one point heading into the final minute, American professional Tony Mitchell buried a three-pointer with 37 seconds to go to virtually ice the contest for his team.

It was a dramatic ending to a tight battle, with neither side leading by more than eight points throughout. Ahli held a 73-67 lead early in the final period, but Muharraq stormed back with a 7-0 run to recapture the advantage at 74-73.

The two teams traded baskets from there and after Lenny Daniel put Ahli ahead 77-76, Mitchell scored Muharraq’s next seven points. That included his crucial triple to give them their late four-point advantage. Muharraq guard Baqer Isa then made one of two free throws to peg the final score.

Ahli were the early aggressors, taking a 23-17 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Muharraq stepped things up in the second to enjoy a slim 45-43 lead at the half. Mitchell finished as the game’s leading scorer with 34 points, while also taking down 14 rebounds.

Veteran Bahraini shooting guard Bader Abdulla Malabes added 17, and both he and Mitchell fired in four three-pointers apiece. Isa chipped in with 13 and Ali Shukrallah had 12 along with 12 boards. Daniel had 24 markers to pace Ahli while Ali Aqeel had 20 and Hesham Sarhan contributed 14 in the loss.

With the result, Muharraq claimed their ninth win in 13 games as they improved to 22 points on the league table. Despite their rise, they stayed behind Ahli on the standings. Ahli suffered only their third loss to go with 10 wins and are now on 23 points. Defending champions Manama continue to lead with 26 points from a 12-2 win-loss record. League action continues on Sunday with the first day of week 16 games.