SHENZHEN (China) - Lebanon leaned on Rebecca Akl and Jillian Archer in the endgame to stave off Indonesia, 67-57, and remain in Division A of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, Friday at the Shenzhen Sports Center.
Archer scored from close range, before their team captain knocked down a cold-blooded trey for a 63-57 lead to restore order with 1:15 to go after their foes got to within just a point from down 58-49 early in the fourth.
The Cedars' defense forced Faizzatus Shoimah to a turnover, and their lead would grow at 65-57 with 37.4 seconds left after Akl went perfect from the line as Timnas could only watch the game slip away from them slowly.
Free throws by Amar Mansour inside the final 12.9 proved to be the finishing touches as they not only saved themselves from totally losing a lead as big as 17, but ensured that the program stays in the top division as well.
"Full respect to Indonesia. We were ahead 16 into the fourth quarter but they dug in and went to work, and made it a very exciting - too much exciting - basketball game for us," said head coach Paul Coughter.
"At the end of the day, we are able to stay in Division A, which, of course, is important for our country and for our women's basketball program," added the veteran mentor, who once led the Lebanon men's team.
Akl led Team Lebanon with a game-high 26 points, 14 of which she made in the third quarter where they widened an eight-point lead to a commanding 46-29 advantage before their counterparts' fiery retaliation.
The veteran floor general shot 4-of-8 from deep and also collected 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal, indeed leading by example as she definitely did not want to see the Cedars return to the second division.
Mansour added 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists while Archer contributed 6 points and 12 rebounds for Lebanon, who will continue to play in Division A in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2027 in the Philippines.
Indonesia, on the other hand. were led by Kim Pierre-Louis' double-double outing of 16 points and 11 rebounds in the heartbreaking defeat, which made the program's campaign in the top level a brief one.
It could be recalled that Timnas booked their Division A ticket by ruling Division B in 2023 in Sydney by way of a five-game sweep, only to find themselves returning to the second level in the next edition.
Agustin Gradita made 11 points and 8 assists with Shoimah - who led their 8-0 run to bring themselves to a point at 57-58 - added 8 points for the Indonesians, who finished their campaign winless in four outings.
FIBA