Manama won the Bahrain Basketball Association Cup after defeating Al Hala 103-97 in the final held yesterday at the Basketball Association hall in Um Al Hassam.
Both teams got off to strong starts, eyeing dominance, but Manama edged ahead of Hala in the opening quarter to take a two-point lead (28-26).
The second quarter saw Manama roar ahead of their opponents with a crucial 18-point advantage as they led 61-41 at half-time.
Hala proved to be the better team after the interval and their inroads, led by American Anthony McClain, raised hopes of an upset win despite the sizeable lead Manama had accumulated in the second quarter. Hala won the third quarter 26-21 and went on to take the final session 30-21, only to fall short by six points.
American professional player Devin Ebanks was the top scorer for the winners with 34 points and he was ably supported by Hassan Nowrooz with 33 points while Mohammad Jassim chipped win with 11.
McClain scored 38 points for Hala while the other prominent scorers for the team were Sayyed Kadhem Majed with 12 points, Hussain Salman with 11 and Nader Ali with 10.
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