Muharraq, Manama win semi-final series openers

Manama

Ahmed Hassan Al Durazi made one of two controversial free-throws with 1.6 seconds remaining to help Muharraq escape with an 89-88 victory over league champions Al Ahli last night, in game one of their best-of-three semi-final series in the Khalifa bin Salman Cup. Al Durazi’s charity shot came on a dubious foul call on Ahli’s Hesham Sarhan, following a drive to the basket. Television replays showed that Sarhan made no contact with Al Durazi on the play.

It eventually proved to be enough to separate the teams in the hotly contested affair. Also winners yesterday were Manama, who defeated Al Hala 101-88 in the opening contest of their semis clash. Manama built a big lead early and went ahead by as many as 21 points, before doing enough to stave off a Hala comeback in the end. Both Muharraq and Manama will now be looking to close out their respective series when game two is played on Tuesday. Game three, if needed, is scheduled for next Saturday. The one-off final is slated for October 20.

Muharraq’s narrow victory was a see-saw affair, with both teams trading blows before the game-winning basket. Each side went ahead by as many as 12 points, but both were also able to battle back from a deficit. Al Durazi split a pair from the charity stripe with just 24 seconds remaining to make it 88-85, but then Ahli skipper Mohammed Qurban swished through a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie things once more at 88-all. That set the stage for the crucial foul call with just 1.6 seconds on the clock. Ahli had zero timeouts remaining and had to rush a desperation attempt after securing the rebound off the missed free-throw.

Al Durazi finished with 21 points, including four three-pointers, to lead Muharraq in the win. Mohammed Nasser chipped in with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Bader Abdulla Malabes contributed 17 and eight assists. Seven-foot Jamaican Jerome Jordan had 15 points and 16 rebounds as Muharraq’s lone professional player. Ali Shukrallah had 10 points as he provided a boost off the bench. For Ahli, Sutton and fellow-American Brandon Brown combined for 47 points and 28 rebounds. Maytham Jameel added 19 and Hesham Sarhan 17, but Ahli got zero points from their bench. In Manama’s win, Lebanese- Canadian import Ali Haidar scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Mohammed Hussain added 14 and American Jerai Grant had 13. Kendall Dykes from the US scored 26 to pace Hala in the loss.