Day 4: Uzbekistan, Lebanon and India join Kazakhstan in Semi-Finals
BENGALURU (FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017) - The four Semi-Finals teams at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017 Division B are finally known after Uzbekistan, Lebanon and India were all victorious on Day 4.
Uzbekistan staved off a late rally from Singapore to prevail in their Quarter-Finals matchup, 84-79. The Singaporeans last threatened at 81-79 with just a minute and a half to go and resorted to fouling the Uzbeks to stop the clock, but the Central Asians sank the necessary insurance baskets to preserve their triumph. Natalya Koneva continued to display her scoring sock, notching 26 points on the back of 6 three-pointers for Uzbekistan.
In the second game, Lebanon just outclassed Sri Lanka, 86-37. The Sri Lankans never led in this contest and never really had a chance against the deeper and more athletic Lady Cedars. Narine Gyokchian made her presence felt for the Lebanese with a sublime 13-point, 12-rebound stat-line, while Lama Moukaddem and Nancy Maalouf also did well with 16 and 14 points respectively. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had just one player score in double-figures - Nadeeshani Silva, who tossed in 17 points.
The day's final game featured hosts India routing Fiji, 93-51. The Pacific Islander team kept in step with India for one whole period, but they just could not sustain it for the rest of the game. India broke the game open in the second period and never looked back. Anitha Paul Durai, not surprisingly, top-scored for the South Asia queens with 19 points on top of 4 steals and 3 assists even as Grima Merlin Varghese and Rajapriyadharshin Rajaganapathi backstopped her with a combined 25 points.
The Semi-Finals happen tomorrow with hosts India facing dangerous Lebanon, while rivals Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan take on each other to find out who will make it to the Division B Final.
You can also follow the intense Semi-Finals action by checking out our Live Updates.
RESULTS:
Uzbekistan beat Singapore, 84-79
Lebanon beat Sri Lanka, 86-37
India beat Sri Lanka, 93-51
FIBA