MUSCAT: Saham Club opened their campaign in the 2026-27 Under-17 Basketball League with a commanding 68-21 victory over Bahla Club at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
The match was part of the preliminary qualifiers, which feature 11 clubs divided into two groups. The teams compete in a single round-robin format, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the final stage.
Saham took control from the opening whistle and won all four quarters, combining attacking efficiency with a well-organised defensive display. Bahla, meanwhile, struggled to match their opponents’ intensity, particularly during the first half as Saham built a decisive lead.
Saham made a strong start, dictating the tempo through sharp attacking movement and accurate shooting. Their disciplined defence also restricted Bahla’s opportunities, allowing them to take the opening quarter 18-5 and establish an early advantage.
They tightened their grip on the contest in the second quarter, increasing the pace of their attacks and making effective use of the spaces available around the basket. Bahla were unable to contain the pressure as Saham added 23 points while conceding only four, taking a commanding 41-9 lead into the half-time break.
Bahla produced a more competitive display after the interval and managed to keep pace with Saham for much of the third quarter. The two sides exchanged baskets during the period, with Saham narrowly outscoring Bahla 9-8. However, the substantial first-half deficit meant Saham remained firmly in control, leading 50-17 at the end of the quarter.
Saham reasserted their dominance in the fourth and final quarter, maintaining their intensity at both ends of the court and varying their attacking approach. They scored a further 18 points while limiting Bahla to four, sealing an emphatic 68-21 victory and a confident start to their league campaign.
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