Al Ettihad edge Muharraq

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Al Ettihad powered to a resounding 102-96 victory over Muharraq last night as the ninth week of action got underway in the 2023/2024 Zain Bahrain Basketball League. Yesterday’s clash was a seesaw affair, but it was Ettihad who were able to convert their late-game opportunities.

They went on a decisive 13-3 run towards the end of the game to come away with the all-important triumph. Cleanthony Early was the star man for the winners, erupting for 41 points, including four three-pointers. Jordan Washington chipped in with 28 markers and 12 rebounds, while Hassan Fahad, Mohammed Kuwayed and Hussain Mohammed all finished with nine points apiece for Ettihad.

They had a strong first quarter and used an 18-7 spurt to take early control. They headed into the second up 30-20, but Muharraq roared back and a Mohammed Hussain three-pointer brought them to within 49-50 with under two minutes to go before the half. Austin Daye then gave Muharraq the lead briefly, but back-to-back three-pointers by Kuwayed and Early before the quarter buzzer put Ettihad ahead 56-52 at the break.

In the third, Muharraq stepped it up and following a Tyler Wilkerson lay-up, took a 79-72 lead. Ettihad would not go away, however, and got to within 78-80 heading into the last stanza. There, both teams continued to trade jabs, and successive buckets from Early and Washington put Ettihad back ahead 89-88.

Bader Abdulla Malabes answered with a lay-up for Muharraq with just under seven minutes remaining. But Early replied with a four-point play, and that sparked their decisive 13-3 run, capped by a Washington basket that put Ettihad comfortably in front 102-93 with under two minutes to go.

Hussain Salman fired in from beyond the arc to bring Muharraq back to within six, but it was too late as Muharraq could not get any closer. Seven players scored in double figures for Muharraq but that couldn’t save them from their recent struggles. Salman finished with 15, while Hussain, Wilkerson and Malabes all contributed 14.

With the result, Ettihad claimed their sixth win in eight tries and tied defending champions and current leaders Manama on the league standings with 14 points. Manama are in first place with a superior points difference. Muharraq suffered their fourth loss and are in danger of missing out on the Top Six round.

League action continues tonight and tomorrow with two matches each day. This evening, winless Isa Town face Al Hala at 5.30pm followed by Samaheej taking on Bahrain Club at 7.30pm. Tomorrow, Manama and Nuwaidrat go head-to-head in the early fixture at 5.30pm while at 7.30pm Al Najma go up against Sitra, the league’s only other side to taste a victory so far this season.