The Indian men’s basketball team continued their poor show at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 with a 54 - 61 loss against Jordan in Beirut on Friday. However, unlike their first game of the tournament against Iran, the Indian men sank some early baskets and raced to a 12 - 8 lead. But Jordan fought back in the first quarter before sealing off the match.
India did well to stay in the game right through, but Jordan’s Mousa Alawadi scored crucial points to maintain their lead every time the Indian men closed the gap.
He top scored for Jordan with 22 points. Power forward and captain Amjyot Singh Gill led the scoring for India with 17 points, and Aravind Annadurai grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Indian team will also be encouraged by a cameo from 17-year-old Baladhaneshwar Poiyamozhi, who played with urgency and made some good plays on transition in the second half. With seasoned guard Vishesh Bhriguvanshi rested for this game, Baladhaneshwar’s performance was all the more timely.
Eventually, this turned out to be a low scoring game, with both teams going on extended stretches where they failed to score. Both teams will be disappointed with their conversion rate, as they shot a sub-par 34%.
India will be hoping he is fit for their final game of the group stages against Syria on Sunday, in what is essentially an elimination game as both teams bid to finish third in the group and qualify for the next phase of the tournament.
