McLean erupts for 50 to lead Ahli in big win

TDT | Manama                                                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Unique McLean erupted for 50 points last night to spearhead Al Ahli in a 124-85 rout of Sitra in their week six fixture of the 2023/2024 Zain Bahrain Basketball League. The American professional posted his season-high output in just 27 minutes of action, shooting 23-for-34 from the field for a 67 per cent clip while taking down 13 rebounds.

Ahli led 28-20 at the end of the first quarter and gradually added to their advantage over the course of the game. The perennial title contenders had red-hot second and third periods, where they nearly broke the 40-point mark in each to take a commanding 64-42 lead at the half, which they turned to 102-63 after three.

They then enjoyed their biggest gap of 50 points, 115-65, following a Mahmood Aljassas three-pointer with eight minutes left in the game, and cruised to the finish line from there. Jamaican import Adrian Uter added 22 markers and also had 13 rebounds for Ahli, while Bahraini guards Ahmed Aldurazi and Maitham Jameel each finished with 12.

Ebrahim Murad Ebrahim had 16 as the top scorer for Sitra, who once again played without a foreign professional. Ahli extended their lead atop the league standings with their fifth triumph in six tries, while Sitra remained winless after six outings. League action continues tonight with Al Najma facing Al Hala at 5.30pm, followed by the titanic clash between defending champions Manama and last year’s losing finalists Muharraq at 7.30pm.

The Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) announced yesterday that Manama spectators have been banned from attending the team’s games until further notice, following the behaviour of some fans in their previous outings. The BBA also imposed a BD5,000 fine to the club.