National Team Turn Tables on Qatar

TDT | Manama

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JaKarr Sampson hit 25 points as Bahrain came from behind to beat Qatar 76-69 in Doha on Thursday, taking charge through the middle of the game after an early scare.

Sampson did the damage in 27 minutes, adding eight rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Mustafa Rashid was just as telling, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to fall two assists short of a triple-double. He also made two steals.

Qatar had the better start and led 23-20 after the first quarter. Bahrain hit back hard before the break, winning the second 26-17 to turn a three-point deficit into a 46-40 half-time lead.

They pushed further clear in the third. An 18-14 quarter left Bahrain 64-54 up with 10 minutes to play and gave Qatar a sizeable gap to chase.

The hosts made some ground in the fourth, taking the quarter 15-12, but Bahrain kept them at arm's length and saw out the seven-point win.

Ahmed Salman and Elijah Thomas scored nine points each, with Thomas pulling down six rebounds in only 12 minutes. Ali Jaber added seven points, while Mohamed Buallay had five points and four rebounds.

Ahmed Al Durazi scored three, with Mohamed Naser and Ahmed Bindayneh adding two points apiece.

The game opened a three-team friendly involving Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in Doha, with the sides using the matches as warm-ups for their next international tests.

Bahrain face Saudi Arabia on Friday, while Qatar meet the Saudis on Saturday in the final game.