Ahli bounce back in style

A resilient Al Ahli lived to fight another day last night as they extended their championship fight against Manama in the 2023-24 Zain Bahrain Basketball League. With their backs against the wall, Ahli showed heart in a hugely thrilling 90-87 victory against their arch-rivals in game three of their best-of-five finals, currently being played at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town. Bahrain national team star Maitham Jameel knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer with two minutes and 18 seconds to go to give Ahli a slim 84-83 edge. American professionals Moultrie Arnett (208-C-1990, college: MSU, agency: Slash Sports) and Ennis James (201-F/G-1990, college: LBSU, agency: Diamond Sports) then helped them close out the contest. Two pressure-packed Ennis III free-throws made it 88-85 with a minute to play, and then after Sir'Dominic Pointer (198-G/F-1992, college: St.John's) scored for Manama on a give-and-go with Travin Thibodeaux (203-F-1996, college: New Orleans) with 22.7 seconds left coming out of a timeout, Moultrie pegged the final score with an uncontested lay-up, assisted by Ennis III, with just three seconds on the clock. Moultrie and Ennis III combined for 51 of Ahli’s total output last night. Moultrie finished with a game-high 29 and also grabbed 10 rebounds in a full 40 minutes of work. Ennis III contributed 22 markers to go with seven rebounds and nine assists, while Jameel added 15 for Ahli, including four three-pointers. With the result, Ahli reduced Manama’s advantage in the series to 2-1 and forced a fourth game, scheduled for tomorrow night, tipping off at 8pm at the same venue. Ahli will still be battling to stay alive and in title-contention, while Manama will be looking to make good on their second chance to secure the coveted league crown. Ahli were playing in yesterday’s game under Bahraini head coach and former national team player Ahmed Mirza, who took over following the sudden release of Argentinian tactician Nestor Rafael Garcia after game two. Mirza instilled a renewed sense of belief in his team, and it showed from the opening tip, with Ahli playing with more aggressiveness than in their previous outings. Eight straight points from Ennis III, capped by a three-pointer before the quarter buzzer, turned a 19-20 deficit to a 27-22 lead for Ahli to end the opening period. It was the first time in the entire finals series that Ahli held the advantage at the end of a quarter. Ahli continued to stay in front to begin the second but Manama gradually reduced the gap towards the half. A corner three-pointer from Hussain Shaker, Ahli’s long-time former court general, brought Manama back to within 39-41 with 35.1 seconds before the break, and then a Sir'Dominic Pointer three-point play made it 42-44 at the half. In the third, Manama continued their resurgence and back-to-back triples from Thibodeaux gave them a 59-56 edge. But Ahli showed their poise and following an Ahmed Salman basket from beyond the arc that made it 62-60 for Manama, Moultrie helped close the period out with six straight points to put Ahli 66-65 in front going into the final frame. There, a 9-2 run after the scores were tied at 70-apiece gave Ahli some breathing room with five minutes remaining, but Manama continued to battle until a Salman three-pointer reduced the gap to 79-81. Two Sir'Dominic Pointer free-throws and a Salman lay-up gave Manama an 83-81 advantage and it appeared to be a turning point late in the game for the defending champions. But unlike in the finals’ first two contests, Ahli were this time able to respond and that set the stage for the end-game heroics from Jameel, Moultrie, and Ennis III. Sir'Dominic Pointer paced Manama in the loss with 22 points, while Thibodeaux had 18 and Ali Jaber 17. Salman finished with 13. Manama are playing for a record 25th league title this season while Ahli are gunning for their 20th.
Courtesy of: gdnonline.com