Al Najma edge past Al Ahli

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Al Najma stunned Al Ahli 76-67 last night as the eighth week of action got underway in the 2023/2024 Zain Bahrain Basketball League. Najma used a decisive 10-0 run to start the final quarter to overturn a three-point deficit and take control of the contest.

They then did enough over the game’s closing minutes to hold on to their advantage and stave off a late Ahli surge. The game was played at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam between two teams who are amongst the title-hopefuls for this season.

Najma claimed their fifth win in eight tries with the result, and they moved to the top of the league standings with 13 points, tied with Ahli, who suffered their third loss. Both teams now have identical records—with Ahli ranked above Najma on points differential—but they each have played two more games than defending champions and former solo leaders Manama, who are undefeated in six contests.

In last night’s affair, a three-pointer by Elijah Robinson sparked their game-changing 10-0 rally beginning the final period. Joshua Caldwell and Sayed Mohammed Hameed also contributed, while Mohammed Jassim scored on a lay-up to cap their surge.

Najma stretched their lead to nine but Ahli tried valiantly to fight back, getting to within five, 67-72, on an Ahmed Aldurazi triple with a minute-and-a-half left. But both teams failed to score on their ensuing possessions and Caldwell baskets in the final 20 seconds iced the win.

Earlier in the clash, Najma were the aggressors at the opening tip, taking a slim 24-20 lead at the end of the first period. Ahli were able to cut the deficit to just a single point multiple times in the second but Najma held on to the advantage.

A Mohammed Qurban three-pointer brought Ahli to within 37-38 with under 20 seconds to play, but Mohammed Buallay converted a lay-up that put Najma up 40-37 at the interval. Ahli roared back in the third and their stifling defence held Najma to just seven points the entire quarter. They thus took a 50-47 lead into the last stanza, but Najma fiished strong to claim the win.

Caldwell finished with a game-high 29 points, including four three-pointers, while Robinson added 14, 11 rebounds and six assists. Shukrallah had 10 as their only other player in double figures. For Ahli, Unique McLean scored 18 and Ahmed Aldurazi had 13. Adrian Uter chipped in with 12 and 10 boards.

League action continues tonight and tomorrow at the same venue. This evening, Al Ettihad will take on Bahrain Club at 5.30pm followed by Muharraq going up against Nuwaidrat at 7.30pm. Tomorrow evening, Manama will look to maintain their pristine record when they go up against winless side Sitra, while Samaheej take on Isa Town, who are the only other club to taste victory this season.