BASKETBALL – Al Ahli powered to a stunning 84-76 victory over three-time defending champions Manama last night in the 2024-25 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
After trailing for much of the fourth quarter, Hesham Sarhan buried a pair of pressure-packed free-throws with just over two minutes remaining to give Ahli the lead for good at 77-76.
That was part of a decisive 15-0 run to end the game, during which Manama were held scoreless for the last seven minutes.
It was a remarkable finish to the contest at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam between the pair of heated, long-time rivals, who are both the juggernauts of the game in the kingdom.
Ahli’s statement victory was only their third in seven outings so far in this season’s Premier League, while they also snapped Manama’s seven-game winning streak, handing them their first loss.
Manama were the early aggressors and a Hussain Shaker three-pointer gave them a 26-19 lead at the end of the opening period. Ahli battled back in the second and Elijah Thomas made it 44-41 right before the half, but AJ John scored with a lay-up to beat the buzzer to narrow the gap to just one.
Manama then took control in the third although things remained close as they held a slim 66-63 advantage heading into the final frame. There, Manama appeared to be coasting to the victory after a Hasan Nowrooz three-pointer with seven minutes left put them ahead 76-69.
Muharraq’s Bader Abdulla Malabes drives the lane during their game against Najma
But that set the stage for the shock ending, with Manama failing to get onto the scoresheet the rest of the way – missing all 12 of their field goal attempts – and Ahli took full advantage.
Thomas had a monster effort of 28 points and 18 rebounds to go with four blocks in Ahli’s big win. Ahmed Alderzi added 17, while backcourt mate Sarhan finished with 12.
Maitham Jameel chipped in with nine points and eight assists, while Ali Shukrallah came off the bench to score eight points and take down 14 rebounds.
For Manama, Clinton Chapman had 18 points and 10 boards while Ahmed Salman added 13. Tony Carr and Subah Hussain finished with 12 apiece, with Carr almost posting a triple double with nine rebounds and 11 assists in defeat.
Meanwhile, in last night’s other Premier League contest, Muharraq welcomed their new professional Sir’Dominic Pointer – a former standout with Manama – in a resounding 117-85 victory over Al Najma.
After trailing 24-25 at the end of quarter one, Muharraq erupted for 35 points in period two to go in front 59-45. They never looked back, building their lead over the remainder of the game and enjoying a biggest margin of 33 late on.
Tony Mitchell had a game-high 30 points, which included a red hot five three-pointers, while Pointer added 20 for his new team. Mohammed Ameer added 11 points while Wayne Chism had nine.
Najma were led by the 25 markers of Tyler Wilkerson, who was facing his former club. Jonathan Arledge had 17 off the bench while Robert Lowery scored 13.
Muharraq claimed their seventh win in nine tries while Najma suffered their third loss in seven games.
League action continues tonight with a League B contest between Nuwaidrat and Sitra, scheduled for an 8pm tip-off. Tomorrow, Isa Town and Bahrain Club face off at 6pm also in League B while Al Hala take on Al Ettihad at 8pm in the Premier League. On Friday, Ahli and Najma lock horns in the lone game at 8pm.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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