Bahrain Club upset Najma, Hala outplay Nuwaidrat in basketball league

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain Club and Al Hala both claimed hard-earned victories last night in their week 17 games of the 2022/2023 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.

Bahrain Club edged past Al Najma 87-79 while Hala overcame a tough challenge from Nuwaidrat 75-64.

Both contests were postponed from last week due to a damaged rim on the playing court at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.

In Bahrain Club’s triumph, they pulled away from their rivals in the fourth quarter following a tightly contested opening three periods in which neither team led by more than single digits.

The game was tied at 65-all heading into the final canto, but after a Mohammed Nasser layup gave Najma a slim 74-73 edge, Bahrain Club went on a decisive 9-0 run that put them in control for good with five minutes remaining.

Najma could not recover from there and Bahrain Club went on to claim their eighth win in 16 games.

Najma suffered their fifth loss to go with nine victories. American professional Xavier Gibson led three Bahrain Club players with over 20 points.

He finished with 26 to go with 19 rebounds and four blocked shots. Ali Asghar and Husain Safar added 21 apiece, with Safar firing in five three-pointers, while Ali Abbas chipped in with 13.

Nasser had 24 off the bench to pace Najma, who were playing without their import.

Ali Jaber contributed 17 while Mohammed Hussain and Abdulrah - man Ghali each scored 12 in the loss.

Meanwhile, in H a l a ’ s win, they took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter but Nuwaidrat battled back to within a single possession, 60-62, with a Keanau Post basket.

Hala replied, however, with five unanswered points to stretch their advantage once more, and they held on until the final buzzer.

Tony Farmer scored 33 points and took down 17 rebounds for Hala, while Nader Ali had 14.

Both frontcourt players had four triples in the game.

Post had a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds to lead Nuwaidrat in the loss, while Mohayad Ameer had 15 and Sayed Hashim Habib 14.

Hala improved to an 8-7 winloss record, while Nuwaidrat dropped to a 6-10 mark.

League action continues tonight with the first day of week 18.

Isa Town face off with Al Ettihad at 6pm.

Then, on Tuesday next week, Samaheej play Sitra and Al Ahli take on Bahrain Club, followed on Wednesday by Muharraq playing Najma.

On 27 January, defending champions Manama lock horns with Hala.