Al Hala turned a dead-even first half into a 79-68 road win over Al Ahli on February 23, 2026, leaning on a composed second half to create separation in Premier League play. The venue was listed as TBD, but the flow of the game was clear: once the margin tightened, Al Hala’s ability to win the possession battle late decided it.
How the game swung
The first 20 minutes were a stalemate. Al Hala took the opening quarter 21-17, Al Ahli answered with a 21-21 second period, and the teams went to the break tied 38-38. From there, Al Hala made the game about control — pace, shot quality, and finishing quarters — and Al Ahli couldn’t keep up.
The decisive stretch came right out of halftime. Al Hala won the third quarter 17-13, turning the tie game into a four-point lead (55-51) entering the fourth. It wasn’t a knockout, but it forced Al Ahli to chase the game the rest of the way — and Al Hala never let the pressure swing back.
Quarter-by-quarter: Al Hala’s consistency wins out
First quarter
Al Hala set the tone early, edging ahead 21-17 and establishing the first cushion of the night.
Second quarter
Al Ahli stabilized with a 21-point quarter of its own, matching Al Hala’s 21 to bring the game level at 38-38 at halftime.
Third quarter
Al Hala’s 17-13 advantage was the pivot point. In a game without huge scoring swings, four points mattered — and it changed the math for the final 10 minutes.
Fourth quarter
Al Hala closed with a 20-17 fourth quarter, stretching the margin from four to 11 by the final horn. When the game demanded clean possessions and late-clock execution, Al Hala delivered the steadier finish.
Turning points
Halftime reset: The 38-38 tie put the game on a razor’s edge, but Al Hala’s third-quarter edge created the first real separation.
Winning two of the last three quarters: Al Hala’s 17-13 third and 20-17 fourth were enough to turn a tie game into a comfortable final margin.
What it means going forward
For Al Hala, this was a blueprint win: no overtime, no chaos, just a steady climb from a tied halftime score to an 11-point victory. For Al Ahli, the issue wasn’t the first half — it was the inability to manufacture enough offense after the break, scoring 30 points in the second half compared to Al Hala’s 37. In a league where margins tighten late, that second-half gap is the difference between protecting home floor and watching the other side walk out with the result.