Muharraq power past Al Ettihad

MUHARRAQ came alive in the second half to power to an 87-70 victory over Al Ettihad last night in their week 11 contest of the 2024-25 Zain Bahrain Basketball League. After leading by just one point at the interval, Muharraq raised their intensity in the final two periods to take full control of the game and go ahead by as many as 19 points late. Tony Mitchell (198-F/G-1989, college: Alabama) spearheaded the winners, nearly finishing with a triple double. He scored 19 points, dished out 10 assists, and grabbed nine rebounds while also registering six steals. With the result at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam, Muharraq claimed their ninth win in 11 outings to return to the top of the Premier League standings with 20 points. They are a single point ahead of three-time defending champions Manama, but have played one game more. Ettihad suffered their 11th straight defeat and stayed in last place on the table with 11 points. Muharraq and Ettihad played to a 24-all tie at the end of the first quarter and then Muharraq took a narrow 42-41 lead into the break. Two free-throws from Mohammed Juma’a gave them their slim advantage with just over a minute to go in the second period. After the restart, they took full control. They went on a game-changing 10-3 run, sparked by an Ali Hussain three-pointer that made it 52-44. They then continued to stretch their lead and a Nader Ali triple put them up by 15, 63-48, with under five minutes to go in the third. Muharraq took a 65-56 cushion into the final frame, where they maintained their strong play. A Mohammed Ameer turn-around jump shot gave them their biggest lead of the night, 82-63, for the first time with four minutes on the clock. Younes Kowayed matched that gap with a three-pointer and only a minute-and-a-half to play, virtually icing their triumph. Mitchell led five Muharraq players in double figures in the game. Fellow-American Sir'Dominic Pointer (198-G/F-1992, college: St.John's) scored 17 points and took down nine boards in their win, while Juma’a finished with 15 off the bench. Ameer contributed 11 points and Hussain had 10 for Muharraq. For Ettihad, who were playing with an import, Sayed Mohammed Hameed scored 15 points while Nasser Almosawi added 13. Hassan Fahad added 12 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort. Action this season continues later this week with games in both the Premier League and League B.
Courtesy of: gdnonline.com