India go down to higher ranked Jordan in placings match

MUMBAI: India suffered their second successive defeat in as many days after squandering a first- half lead to go down 65-69 to higher ranked Jordan in the 5-8 placings match of the 5th FIBA Asia Cup basketball tournament in Wuhan, China today.

India, who were knocked out of reckoning for a place in the semis by Philippines in the quarter finals yesterday, led Jordan - ranked 30th in the world and 4th in Asia - 27-21 at the half way stage of the match, according to FIBA Asia website.

However, the Scott Fleming-coached team allowed their West Asian rivals to claw back into the match in the third quarter, which ended with both teams level on 47 points, before Jordan pulled ahead with purposeful play in the last quarter to clinch the match.

India, ranked 11th in the continent and 61st in the world, trailed 44-47, seconds before the end of the third quarter, as their key player Visesh Bhriguvanshi sunk a three-pointer to help them draw level. They led 36-30 earlier before Jordan caught up at 38.

India, who led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter following an earlier three-pointer by Bhriguvanshi (who top-scored with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists), led 51-47 at the beginning of the last quarter before Jordan caught up with them and never looked back.

Apart from Bhriguvanshi, Amjyot Singh (14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist) and Pratam Singh (10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist), stole the honours for India.

For Jordan, who lost 60-75 to Asian and defending champions Iran in the quarters yesterday, Ahmad Al Dwairi (21 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists) was the scene-stealer.

India would complete their engagements by meeting the loser of the other 5-8 play-off game (between Japan and Singapore) in the 7-8 position play-off tomorrow, the last day of the tournament.