Indian men cagers lose to Saudi Arabia in second qualifier

INCHEON: After an impressive start in their opening game, the Indian men cagers failed to maintain the momentum as they went down fighting 67-73 to Saudi Arabia in their second Group B qualifying round match in the basketball competition of the Asian Games here today.

India scripted a fightback in the fourth and final quarter after Saudi Arabia dominated the proceedings in the first three quarters but could not avoid a defeat.

The Indians finally lost by a just six points at the Samsan World Gymnasium here.

Belal Fahad Alsalik was the highest scorer for Saudi Arabia with 17 points, while captain Amritpal Singh and his Amjyot Singh finished with 19 points each for India.

The Saudi Arabians took a slight lead of 19-13 after the first quarter and then extended it to 40-27 at the second break.

In the third quarter also, the Saudis managed to maintain a 13-point lead as they went into the final session at 59-46.

The Indians, however, got their act together in the last quarter and launched a ferocious attack as they earned as many as 21 points. But at the end, they fell short of Saudi Arabia, who pocketed the tie in their favour with a slender lead.

India will next take on Kazakhstan in another qualifying round match tomorrow.