Al Ahli needed all 40 minutes — and a little composure late — to secure a 79-74 home win over Nuwaidrad on February 5, 2026. The result moves Al Ahli above .500 at 7-6, while Nuwaidrad’s season continues to slide at 1-12.
Game flow: a one-possession feel, then a third-quarter swing
The opening quarter set the tone: high-scoring, tight, and physical. Al Ahli edged it 26-25, but Nuwaidrad’s early pace kept the game from settling into a comfortable rhythm for the home side.
Nuwaidrad won the second quarter 18-15, taking a 43-41 lead into halftime. For a team coming in on a five-game skid, it was a reminder that their best stretches can still pressure opponents into playing in the margins.
The turning point came after the break. Al Ahli flipped the game with a 22-19 third quarter, reclaiming control and creating the separation that ultimately mattered. They carried a 63-62 edge into the fourth, then held Nuwaidrad to 12 points in the final period while scoring 16 themselves to close it out.
Turning point: fourth-quarter defense closes the door
Nuwaidrad’s path was clear: keep it close and hope the late-game possessions tilt their way. Instead, Al Ahli’s fourth-quarter defense dictated terms. Holding Nuwaidrad to 12 points in the final frame allowed Al Ahli to withstand the pressure of a one-possession game and finish with a five-point win.
What it means going forward
For Al Ahli, this was a needed stabilizer — a win that snaps the volatility of their recent form and pushes them to 7-6 after entering at 6-6. The blueprint was straightforward: survive the first-half swings, win the third, and defend late.
For Nuwaidrad, the 1-12 record reflects the bigger issue: even when the early offense shows up — 25 in the first and 18 in the second — the closing stretch remains a problem. A 12-point fourth quarter left them with too little margin to steal it.
Quarter-by-quarter
Q1: Al Ahli 26, Nuwaidrad 25
Q2: Nuwaidrad 18, Al Ahli 15
Q3: Al Ahli 22, Nuwaidrad 19
Q4: Al Ahli 16, Nuwaidrad 12
Final: Al Ahli 79, Nuwaidrad 74