Naft Missan 64 – 49 Al Hilla | Iraq Championship | 26 May 2026

Naft Missan used a stifling second‑half defense to pull away from Al Hilla, winning 64‑49 in an Iraq Championship clash. The victory keeps Naft Missan in the hunt for a top‑four finish and a playoff berth.

Match Overview

Al Hilla started strong, jumping to a 16‑12 lead after the first quarter behind the inside play of Hussein Kadhim. Naft Missan responded by tightening their perimeter defense and forcing six turnovers in the second quarter, taking a 30‑26 halftime lead. The third quarter proved decisive: Naft Missan held Al Hilla to just 9 points and pushed the lead to 49‑35.

Key Moments

• Third‑quarter lockdown: Naft Missan did not allow a field goal for a stretch of 5:21, turning a 37‑33 lead into a 45‑33 advantage.
• Al Hilla’s offensive woes: The visitors shot just 1‑of‑10 from three‑point range in the second half.
• Free‑throw security: Naft Missan made 12‑of‑14 from the line in the fourth quarter to keep Al Hilla at bay.

Standout Performers

• Ali Jassim (Naft Missan): 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists.
• Mohammed Karim (Naft Missan): 14 points, 10 rebounds (double‑double).
• Hussein Kadhim (Al Hilla): 15 points, 8 rebounds.

Season Impact

Naft Missan improves to 10‑10, moving into a tie for fifth place, one game behind fourth‑placed Al Shorta. Al Hilla falls to 7‑13, their playoff hopes fading fast. With seven games left, Naft Missan will need to maintain this defensive intensity against the league’s top teams.