Wuhan (China), Sep 1 (IANS): India suffered their fourth consecutive loss as they were pipped 63-65 by Thailand in a Group A match of the 26th Asian Women's Basketball Championship here on Tuesday.
Captain Anitha Paul Durai and India's most consistent player of the tournament, Jeena Skaria, led the way for their team on the offensive end but it was not enough.
Paul Durai played every minute of the game and contributed 14 points along with nine rebounds. Skaria ended up a game high for both teams of 21 points.
For Thailand, forwards Naphat Kruatiwa and Thidaporn Maihom were the main contributors. Kruatiwa put up 21 points, while Maihom had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite the loss, there were a lot of positives for India in this game to build upon. India outrebounded Thailand 49 to 36, which included 14 offensive rebounds.
India’s Smruthi Radhakrishnan was the leading rebounder among players on both teams with 12 rebounds. India also improved on their free throw shooting, converting at a rate of close to 74% in this game.
India’s final Group A game will be against South Korea on Wednesday.