Kedah Storms Past Melaka in Commanding Fourth Quarter Display

## Kedah Dominates Second Half to Overcome Melaka In a highly anticipated showdown at SMJK Chung Ling on Monday, Kedah (MSSM 2026) flexed their offensive muscles to secure a convincing 76-57 victory over Melaka. While the game remained a gritty, back-and-forth affair for the first three quarters, Kedah’s superior depth and defensive intensity in the final frame proved to be the difference-maker, allowing them to pull away and seal a 19-point win. ## A Tale of Two Halves The game began at a breakneck pace, with Kedah establishing an early 23-17 lead after the first quarter. However, Melaka showed tremendous resilience, clawing their way back to tie the scoreboard and effectively neutralizing Kedah’s momentum as the teams headed into the halftime break deadlocked. The third quarter remained a defensive grind, with neither side able to gain significant traction, setting the stage for a high-stakes final period. ## Key Performers Seal the Deal When the pressure peaked in the fourth quarter, Kedah’s star power rose to the occasion. Ooi Yi Ze led the charge with a game-high 22 points and 9 rebounds, consistently punishing Melaka’s interior defense. He was well-supported by Chia Tian Yew, who contributed 18 points and 3 assists, and Teh Yu Zhe, whose 14 points provided the secondary scoring boost necessary to break the game open. For Melaka, Eric Tai Chun Hong fought valiantly with 13 points, while Lee Leonn and Lim Jin Zun offered steady production, but they ultimately could not match the balanced scoring output from the Kedah rotation. This victory serves as a strong statement for Kedah in the MSSM Penang U18 tournament. By overcoming a persistent Melaka squad with such a decisive finish, Kedah has demonstrated the composure and late-game execution required to make a deep run in the bracket. They will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as the tournament intensity continues to mount.