JUSTIN Howard poured in a game-high 46 points to help Al Hala claim a narrow 97-96 victory over Al Najma last night in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League, being played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam.

Howard was playing in his first game for Hala. The six-foot, 11-inch American, who only arrived in Bahrain last Saturday, was replacing countryman Bryan Williams, who had left the team to sign elsewhere.

“My teammates put me in a position to score, so I could not have done it without them,” Howard said after the contest about his impressive debut.

It was the seventh straight win for Al Hala.

In yesterday’s other game, Sitra crushed Samaheej 95-61.

Sitra’s American import Patrick Simpson led the way for Sitra with a game-high 35 points.

Today, Isa Town take on Bahrain Club at the same venue.