BASKETBALL – MUZAMIL Ameer fired in the game-winning basket with less than a second remaining to lift Bahrain to a heart-stopping 77-75 victory over Qatar last night in the Gulf Basketball Association (GBA) Championship for National Teams 2024, which has gotten underway in the kingdom.
Ameer supplied his heroics after Qatar’s Mohamed Hussein tied the contest with 10 seconds remaining while being fouled. But he missed the ensuing free-throw, which would have given them the lead, giving the Bahrainis a chance to steal the win – and they did just that.
Ameer grabbed the rebound and calmly dribbled down the floor. He then drove to the basket as time was winding down, beating his defender Nadim Muslic and floating in a shot that twice bounced on the rim.
Ameer’s basket triggered jubilant celebrations by the large local crowd, who packed Khalifa Sports City Arena in support of the kingdom’s team.
In the tournament’s other game last night, Saudi Arabia also got off to a winning start after edging past Kuwait 75-69.
Action continues this evening at the same venue. In the day’s first fixture at 5pm, Saudi will be looking to build on their fine start when they take on Qatar. That will be followed at 7.30pm by Bahrain going up against Kuwait.
All are welcome to watch the games. Entrance is free of charge.
Ameer was part of a three-handed monster for the Bahrainis in last night’s win. He finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while newly naturalised big man Clifton Alexander had a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds. Sharp-shooting guard Mustafa Hussain was their other top performer with 24 points.
Tyler James Harris paced Qatar with 23 points in the narrow defeat. Moustafa Fouda added 13 and Michael O’Neal Lewis had 11.
Ameer’s clincher was the culmination of an impressive comeback by Bahrain in the final quarter. The Qataris appeared to be headed to a stunning triumph after an Abdulrahman Saad lay-up put them ahead 73-67 with just over two minutes to play.
But the Bahrainis roared back immediately, with Alexander scoring in the post and Ameer firing in from beyond the arc. Alexander then gave Bahrain a 74-73 advantage with a huge put-back dunk, and then Hussain split two free-throws to power the hosts ahead 75-73 with 12 seconds to play. That set the stage for Hussein’s tying basket for Qatar, which led to Ameer’s game-winner.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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