OPQT's: Syria win a thriller with late surge; India and Bahrain stay unbeaten

DAMASCUS (Syria) - The second day in Damascus was highlighted by Syria's exhilarating and nail-biting comeback win against Saudi Arabia, while India remain unbeaten and Bahrain shone again.

Here's your wrap of how the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament panned out on Sunday in the Syrian capital.

Syria pull off memorable comeback win over Saudi Arabia

Syria rallied from being 8 points down in the final five minutes to pull off a 73-71 victory over Saudi Arabia as Nadim Issa led the hosts with 23 points. Omar Idelbi added 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists,while Brandon Peterson put up 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Mohammed Alsuwailem was the top scorer for Saudi Arabia with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Even with Alsuwailem in the paint, though, Saudi Arabia were unable to hold on to their lead in the final minutes.

Saudi Arabia last tasted the lead at 68-66 with 1:27 left after two Khalid Abdel Gabar free throws. After that, Idelbi tied the count on a jumper before Hani Adribe's lay-up gave the home team the lead for good.

Saudi Arabia actually held the advantage for most of the game, which saw 9 lead changes. However, the hosts' offense came up big in the final minutes, outscoring the Saudis, 18-8, in the closing stages. Syria's victory improves their record to 1-1 in the tournament. They will next face Bahrain.

India beat Indonesia to stay perfect

India remained unbeaten by defeating Indonesia, 90-74. Muin Bek Hafeez led India with 15 points, five assists, and three steals. Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan added 13 points, three assists, and two triples.

Marquese Bolden was the top scorer for Indonesia with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. However, even with Bolden in the paint, Indonesia were out-rebounded, 47-30. India also shot 46.2 percent from beyond the arc and outscored Indonesia in the paint, 46-30.

India's victory improves their record to 2-0 in the tournament. They will next face Kazakhstan, while Indonesia fall to 1-1 and will now face Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain storm past Kazakhstan

Bahrain put on a dominant display to crush Kazakhstan, 104-67. The Bahrainis led by as many as 41 points in the second half and never looked back.

Mustafa Rashed led the way for Bahrain with 21 points, four assists, and four triples. Muzamil Ameer Hamooda added 15 points, four rebounds, and four blocks.

Konstantin Neff was the top scorer for Kazakhstan with 19 points, but it was hardly enough. Kazakhstan shot just 36.9 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from beyond the arc. Bahrain's victory improves their record to 2-0 in the tournament.

Top Performers

Not surprisingly, Marquese Bolden was the most efficient player of the day once more after scoring 23 points on 9-of-13 field goal shooting. That helped to accumulate a valuation of 28 for Indonesia.

Dynamic Bahrain guard Mustafa Rashed deftly weaved around defenses on Day 2. He put up 26 points while shooting 10-of-16 from the floor.

Brandon Peterson bounced back from a sub-par debut for Syria. He recorded a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in the hosts' comeback win.

Saudi Arabian big man Mohammed Alsuwailem continued his strong performance with 19 points and 11 boards. Too bad it was not enough to preserve the win for his squad.

Omar Idelbi stepped up big time for Syria with an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Photo of the Day

What else? The hometown crowd goes wild with delight in Damscus after their team successfully stages an absorbing come-from-behind win.

FIBA