2013 FIBA Asia Championship: Bahrain comes back from nine down, shocks India in overtime

(Updated 8:56pm) Bahrain pulled off a stunner at the expense of India, springing back from losing their five-point halftime lead by forcing overtime and snatching up an 82-80 triumph, Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, in the first Group D game of the preliminary round of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

Bahrain was up 37-32 at the half, but India used a 26-15 third quarter to break away, erecting a six-point lead, 58-52 with a quarter left.

Undeterred, Bahrain scored the first six of the final canto to tie the game at 58-all, 7:05 left, on a dunk by CJ Giles, who was previously considered as the import for the Philippines, during the early stages of the Gilas team.

In response, India dropped a 12-3 bomb to go up 70-61, with 1:59 left. Three straight empty possessions by their foes however gave Bahrain some hope, as Mohamed Kawaid made it 70-63 with 49 seconds left. Two more points by Kawaid then got the difference to five with 25 seconds left.

Compounding things, a turnover by India led to a Giles dunk, and-one. Though Giles missed the free throw, Bahrain was there to scoop up the miss, and Kawaid buried a big-time game-tying triple, forcing India to regroup via a timeout, 12 seconds left.

India went to Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, but his attempt was blocked by Giles, forcing the extra-time.

Giles changed the game anew with a big time block that led to a Mohammed Ebrahim triple, and the lead swinging over to Bahrain's side for the first time in OT, 81-80, under a minute to go.

Ismaeel added a split at the line with 11 seconds, for a two-point buffer, but India had the final possession. Vinay Kaushik launched a potential game-winner, but it was off the mark, and Giles scooped up the rebound as Bahrain celebrated their triumph.

Mohamed Kawaid led Bahrain with 25 points. He shot 50 percent from the field, and a perfect 11-of-11 from the stripe. CJ Giles added 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Mohammed Ebrahim also scored 13. Former DLSU Green Archer Bader Malabes managed seven points in 18 minutes.

India got 25 points from Narender Grewal. Amjyot Singh added 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Amritpal Singh also put together a double-double of 14 markers and 14 boards.

Bahrain was beaten on the glass 50-34, but Bahrain was better from downtown, 9-of-29 versus 2-of-13. The latter country was also more accurate from the stripe, 21-of-31 versus 12-of-26. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Bahrain 82 - M. Kawaid 25, Ebrahim 13, Giles 13, Ismaeel 11, Alderazi 10, Malabes 7,  Akber 2, Altawash 1, Y. Kawaid 0, Aman 0

India 80 - Grewal 25, Amjyot Singh 16, Amritpal Singh 14, Bhriguvanshi 12, J. Singh 6, Pethani - 4, Kadam - 3, Y. Singh - 0, Kaushik 0

Quarter scoring: 25-17, 37-32, 52-58, 70-70, 82-80