Manama power past Al Najma

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Manama made a winning start last night to their Top Six campaign in the 2023/2024 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.

Manama showed their might and lived up to their tag as favourites in a resounding 96-78 victory over Al Najma at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.

Manama were the aggressors for much of the contest and had an answer each time Najma would threaten, pulling away in the last two quarters for the triumph.

The victors headed into this stage of the league as top seeds after finishing the regular season with an unbeaten record in 10 games.

Najma made it through as sixth seeds. With last night’s result, Manama joined Muharraq as winners from week one so far in the Top Six.

Action in this phase continues tonight with Al Ettihad facing Al Hala. In last night’s game, Manama roared out of the gate and dominated early on, taking a commanding 25-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But Najma fought back and were able to cut the deficit in the second period, where they poured in 29 points and outscored Manama by eight to head into the half down just 40-46.

Any momentum Najma gained, however, they lost in the second half as Manama gradually stretched their advantage.

They built a 71-59 cushion and never took their foot off the gas in the final stanza. They enjoyed their biggest lead of the game of 25 points in the last three minutes, en route to closing out the 18-point win.

Perfect

Mohammed Ameer led a balanced attack for Manama, scoring 19 points on a perfect eight-for-eight field goals in the game.

American professional Travin Thibodeaux added 17 and eight rebounds in just 24 minutes of work, while Ahmed Salman celebrated his return to league action following a lengthy suspension with 16 points and six assists.

Hassan Nowrooz chipped in with 15 for Manama, while Ali Jaber scored 10 against his former club.

Najma’s Elijah Robinson, a former Manama import, paced Najma with 22 points, while Joshua Caldwell had 11 and Sadiq Shukrallah 10.

Ettihad’s game against Hala at 7.30pm tonight wraps up the first week of play in the Top Six.

They are scheduled to square off at 7.30pm at the same venue.

It is set to be an exciting clash between two teams that finished with identical 7-3 win-loss records during the regular season.

Ettihad were classified above Hala on the standings with a superior points differential.

Ettihad were second behind top seeds Manama, while Hala were fourth behind third seeds Al Ahli.

Muharraq were fifth seeds and Najma sixth.