*** ----> Ahli take finals opener against Manama | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Ahli take finals opener against Manama

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Al Ahli moved one victory away from defending their title in the 2020/2021 Zain Bahrain Basketball League last night following a tight 91-83 decision over Manama in the first game of their best-of-three championship series.

Ahli closed out the contest with an 11-5 that turned a slim 80-78 lead into the final score. American professional Mike Harris scored seven of Ahli’s points during that rally, which was capped by his two free throws with nine seconds to go, icing the result.

Ahli will now be looking to close out the title round and clinch back-to-back crowns with a win in game two on Friday. Should Manama extend the series, a third game will be played on Tuesday next week.

Manama held a narrow 21-20 advantage at the end of the first quarter but was able to extend it to double digits at 47-36 heading into the half. Ahli, however, roared back in the third and managed to get to within two points, 65-67, with just the final period to play.

There, Subah Hussain made a three-pointer with less than nine minutes to go to give Ahli the lead for good, 70-67. Manama fought back to within a point midway through the fourth, but that set the stage for Ahli’s decisive run which was sparked by a Harris lay-up. Harris top-scored for the victors with 29 points to go with 15 rebounds and four assists.

Ahmed Aldurazi chipped in with 18, while skipper Mohammed Qurban came off the bench to contribute 14 points. Hesham Sarhan scored 12 and Maitham Jameel had 11. Both Harris and Jameel played the full 40 minutes for the victors.

For Manama, Earl Clark had 22 points, 17 rebounds and six assists to pace his team in the losing effort. Ahmed Salman contributed 16, Mohammed Hussain and Mohammed Ameer each had 13, and Hasan Nowrooz scored 10. In this championship series, Ahli is gunning for their 19th league title, as they are trying to catch all-time leaders Manama, who has 22.