Sri Lank took on India in the 27th FIBA Asian Championships to retain their position in the road towards Division I. The track record between the two countries favored India, as they have won all the past encounters between the sides.
Previous Games
India beat Uzbekistan 92 – 76
Sri Lanka lost to Uzbekistan 78 – 39
Uzbeks gun down Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka`s road to Division I in Asian Championships started with a humiliating loss against Uzbekistan in their first match in the 27th showdown of the competition held in Bengaluru, India…
Match Report
Both teams struggled to find their feet in the game until the third minute of the game as either of the teams went on to make unforced errors. A couple of steals and good rebounds from both the sides kept the score board scoreless. It was Rajaganapathi who drew first blood in the game for India connecting a mid-range jumper. Sri Lanka went on to add ten points while India replied with twenty-three. It was the consistency in opting for shots and tight defense of India that marked the difference between the teams.
First Quarter- Sri Lanka – 10 India – 23
The second quarter of the match was the one that took the game away from Sri Lanka completely. Sri Lanka only added three points on the board, India cruised to add seventeen more. Sri Lanka opted for nine shots outside the arc and only one was converted which bought them the three points. Inside the perimeter, dozens of shots were attempted with no reward. India had three successful three point conversions as they laid the foundation for an emphatic victory.
Sri Lanka was particularly bad in their ball handling as many turnovers halted possessions that Sri Lanka should have converted into points.
Half Time – Sri Lanka – 13 India – 40
Even though Sri Lanka did find their way back, they could not afford to give away points in double figures to the opponents after the devastating second quarter. Sri Lanka did add thirteen points but they could have cut down the leakage by tight defense as India scored nineteen in the quarter. It was Sri Lanak`s shooting that was hurting them badly. Out of twelve attempts Sri Lanka only managed one three point shot which did not help them in anyway. Penetrating was tough with the height of Indian players who held the fortress tight.
Third Quarter – Sri Lanka – 26 India – 59
Sri Lanka trailed the game by thirty-three points going into the final six hundred seconds. In an overall outlook Sri Lanka`s primary departments in the game were out of order. India had a total of eighty-five rebounds while Sri Lanka only had forty. India approached the game in a more collective effort passing the ball around wide and making sure everyone scored through the gaps. With the pressure and frustration Sri Lanka were unable to capitalize their strengths and play exploiting the weakness of the opponents.
Full Time: Sri Lanka – 42 India – 88
Upcoming Fixtures
Sri Lanka v Lebanon – 27th July – 6.00 PM (SL Time)
