MUSCAT, OCT 26
Masirah overturned an 11-point half-time deficit to defeat Salalah 55–50 and claim the 2026–27 Credit Oman Women’s Basketball Cup at the secondary hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on Sunday.
Trailing at the end of the opening three quarters, Masirah outscored Salalah 35–19 in the second half to secure the trophy.
Salalah controlled the opening quarter, establishing a 12–4 lead. Ghadeer Al Ismaili contributed five points, Abeer al Ismaili added three, while Reema al Mughairi and Buthaina al Maamari scored two apiece. Masirah’s points came through baskets from Reem al Shirawi and Malak al Sulaimi.
Both teams improved in the second quarter, but Salalah maintained their advantage, taking the period 19–16. Al Mughairi led their scoring with eight points, including two three-pointers, while Ghadeer added five. Lamar al Said contributed five points for Masirah and Aya Mendoza added three, but Salalah reached the interval with a 31–20 lead.
After the break, Masirah won the third quarter 16–6. Al Sulaimi scored four points, Ruba al Kalbani and Kimia added three each, while Mendoza, Al Said and Marwa Junki contributed two apiece. Salalah’s scoring was restricted to three points each from Ghadeer and Abeer, leaving their advantage at 37–36 heading into the final period.
Masirah completed the turnaround with a 19–13 fourth quarter. Mendoza, Al Said and Kimia scored four points each, Al Sulaimi added three, and Al Shirawi and Junki contributed two apiece. Ghadeer responded with six points for Salalah and Nareen al Maamari added four.
Al Sulaimi and Al Said shared Masirah’s scoring lead with 11 points each. Mendoza finished with nine, Kimia contributed seven, captain Junki and Al Shirawi added six apiece, and Al Kalbani scored five.
Ghadeer finished as the game’s leading scorer with 19 points for Salalah. Al Mughairi added 11, captain Abeer contributed nine, Buthaina scored five, Nareen added four and Ward Ibrahim finished with two.
Oman international Al Shirawi credited Masirah’s recovery to their determination. “I am very proud of all the Masirah players. It was a very competitive match against Salalah and the score was close,”she said. We started slowly, but everyone worked together to come back strongly and win the cup.
She said belief was crucial against difficult opponents. “Team spirit and refusing to give up made the difference. The game is not over until the final buzzer. Salalah are a strong team and were certainly opponents we could not underestimate.”
Salalah’s Ward Ibrahim expressed disappointment after surrendering their lead, pointing to foul trouble in the closing stages.
“We played with team spirit and everyone brought great energy and enthusiasm,” she said. “We were ahead through the first three quarters, but foul trouble affected us towards the end.”
Ward also thanked the organisers and participating teams, saying women’s competitions provided valuable opportunities for players and highlighted the growing presence of female athletes in basketball and other sports in Oman.
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