Bahrain break away to sink Algeria

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s U16 national basketball team thrashed Algeria 80–54 in Cairo to keep their perfect start at the Arab Championship intact. What began as a tense, low-scoring battle turned into a dominant display, with the young Red Tide shifting gears in the second half to leave their opponents trailing.

Turning Point in Third

Trailing 35–34 at halftime, Bahrain flipped the contest in the third quarter with an emphatic 24–7 run. Defensive intensity set the tone, while sharp shooting from beyond the arc punished Algeria’s attempts to close down the paint. The shift was decisive, as Algeria never recovered.

Scorers Step Up

Hassan Abdelqader and Hassan Fouad led all scorers with 22 points each, while Yousif Yaqoob added 17. The first half had seen Ali Fardosi and Yaqoob keep Bahrain in touch with timely three-pointers, but after the break it was the Hassan’s who tore the game open.

Momentum Building

This second successive win gives Bahrain four points from two games, strengthening their position in the standings. Algeria drop to three points after one win and one loss. Bahrain now turn their attention to today’s 1:00pm meeting with Kuwait, with a chance to tighten their grip on first place and reinforce their title credentials.