Al Hidd edge out Goys in women's basketball event opener

THE Second edition of the Womens Basketball League got underway in thrilling fashion with Al Hidd edging Goys Talents team 38-37.

The league opener, held at the Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam, was a well-contested battle affairs between the two team looking for the full two points.

And it was decided in the very last seconds when Mouza Salem Al Mansoori scored a crucial two-pointer to help Al Hidd take over the lead from Goys Talents in an action-packed opener.

In the 10-minute first quarter, both teams played a neck-and-neck game, but eventually it was Goys Talents players who ended the quarter in their favour with a slender 7-5 advantage.

Al Hidd returned the game later on and managed to level the scores at 14-14 at half-time.

Scores were tight in the third quarter, but at the end Al Hidd girls capitalised on their counter attacks to take a three-point lead of 27-24.

The Goys Talents put on a brave show in the fourth and last quarter, during which they turned the tables on their opponents in the closing stages for a 37-36 lead.

However, Mouza rose up to finish off a quick counter attack with a successful throw, giving Al Hidd the full two points and a flaying start to the competition.

Mouza was also the top scorer in the game with 13 points. She was well assisted by Sumaya Al Hashmi, who contributed with 10 points.

On the other hand, the Goys Talents performance was affected by the dismissing of two key players Maryam Thani and Jameela Mohammed, who left the court after each committed five personal fouls.

Their best player was Fatima Mohammed, who could score 12 points, with Aisha Salman (10 points) being the second top scorer.

In another match, the Ministry of Interior womens team captured a huge 20-point margin win over Al Najma.

A 50-30 victory gave the Ministry of Interior a perfect start and a strong warning to other contestants in this six-team championship, which also includes Al Ahli and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Dalya Abdulla stole the show with an impressive 27 points, guiding the Ministry of Interior team to victory.

Ministry of Interior dominated the game right from the start, taking a commanding 10-4 advantage in the first quarter, then went into half-time leading 32-11.

There was no stopping the Ministry of Interior team and their star player Dalya, scoring from all over the court to secure a well-earned win and a joint top spot with Al Hidd Club.

Earlier in the day, the league was tipped off by Bahrain Olympic Committee Womens Committee chairwoman Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa.
Courtesy of: sportsbahrain.com