Nuwaidrat Edge Al Manama 85-81 in Bahrain Cup Basketball Thriller

Final score: Nuwaidrat 85, Al Manama 81

Nuwaidrat produced a composed fourth-quarter finish to defeat Al Manama 85-81 in a tightly contested Bahrain Cup basketball matchup on September 22, 2026. In a game that swung repeatedly, Nuwaidrat made the decisive plays at both ends late, turning a one-possession battle into a hard-earned four-point victory. The result gives Nuwaidrat a valuable boost in the Bahrain Cup, while Al Manama are left to rue a handful of missed opportunities in the closing minutes.

Played under the lights with a late 23:00 tip-off, the contest lived up to the rivalry between two of Bahrain’s most recognizable basketball clubs. Al Manama brought their usual aggressive perimeter defense, while Nuwaidrat leaned on balanced scoring and a patient half-court attack. The final scoreline reflected the tightness of the affair: neither side led by more than eight points after the opening period, and the lead changed hands multiple times before Nuwaidrat finally pulled clear.

Match Overview

Nuwaidrat started brightly, using quick ball movement and early inside scoring to build a 23-19 lead after the first quarter. Al Manama responded in the second period, ramping up their full-court pressure and forcing Nuwaidrat into turnovers. A 12-3 run helped Al Manama take a 43-41 advantage into halftime, setting up a tense second half.

The third quarter belonged to Nuwaidrat. Their guards found gaps in Al Manama’s defense, and a 10-2 surge pushed them back in front. By the end of the period, Nuwaidrat led 65-62. The fourth quarter became a possession-by-possession battle, with Al Manama briefly moving ahead 76-74 with just over five minutes remaining. Nuwaidrat answered with a 9-0 run to seize control, then sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Key Moments

• First quarter: Nuwaidrat opened with an 8-0 run and controlled the paint early, taking a 23-19 lead.
• Second quarter: Al Manama’s pressure defense changed the tempo. A 12-3 burst gave them a 43-41 halftime advantage.
• Third quarter: Nuwaidrat regained momentum with a 10-2 run, entering the final period ahead 65-62.
• Fourth quarter: Al Manama led 76-74 with just over five minutes left, but Nuwaidrat responded with a decisive 9-0 run. Al Manama cut the deficit to 83-81 in the final seconds, only for Nuwaidrat to ice the game with two free throws.

Tactical Story

Nuwaidrat’s half-court execution proved to be the difference. They shot 47.8% from the field and consistently attacked the basket, finishing with 40 points in the paint. Their guards did an excellent job of drawing help defenders and finding open shooters or cutters, resulting in 21 assists on 30 made field goals. Nuwaidrat also won the rebounding battle 42-35, which limited Al Manama’s second-chance opportunities.

Al Manama stayed in the game thanks to their three-point shooting. They knocked down 10 triples, compared to just six for Nuwaidrat, and used their perimeter defense to force 12 turnovers. However, they managed only 42.1% shooting from the field and left points at the free-throw line, converting 13 of 19 attempts. Nuwaidrat, by contrast, went 19 of 25 from the stripe, a crucial edge in a four-point game.

Standout Players

Nuwaidrat were led by point guard Ali Kadhem, who finished with 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Kadhem controlled the pace in the fourth quarter and made several key decisions down the stretch. Ahmed Abdulnabi added 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Sayed Mohammed Jaafar contributed 15 points and six rebounds. Hassan Nairouz gave Nuwaidrat a lift off the bench with 12 points, helping the reserves outscore Al Manama’s bench 24-16.

For Al Manama, Mohammed Hussain was the game’s top scorer with 24 points, six rebounds and three steals. Import guard Marcus Lewis added 19 points and eight assists, while Ahmed Salman chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds. Despite their efforts, Al Manama could not find a late answer after Nuwaidrat’s decisive fourth-quarter run.

What the Result Means

This Bahrain Cup win gives Nuwaidrat momentum and a psychological edge in the head-to-head series with Al Manama. Their balanced scoring