MANAMA (Premier League) - Defending champions Al Manama maintained their slender lead at the top of the Bahrain Premier League with an 85-66 win against Issa Town.

Al Manama now have 26 points, just one more than Sitra, who defeated Al Nowaidrat 83-75 thanks to Donald Oatis's 22 points. Al Nowaidrat's Hakim Moses was the game's top scorer with 25 points.

Level with Sitra on 25 points are Al Hala, who overcame Al Ittihad 59-48. In a low-scoring contest, Al Ittihad's Nigerian Edem Louis was the stand-out performer with 19 points, while Mahmoud Abdulnabi claimed 13 for Al Hala.

Elsewhere, Al Ahli edged out Muharraq 67-66 while Bahrain Club defeated Al Najma 86-53.

FIBA