Kathmandu, April 1

The Maldives finished third in the first South Asian Women’s Basketball Championship here at the National Sports Council covered hall today.

Maldives defeated Bhutan 69-46 to claim the bronze medal in the five-team competition. Ubaihallu Hisma top scored for the team with 18 points as the Maldives accumulated six points from four matches. Maldives took a 19-11 lead and won the second quarter 16-6. Bhutan came back strongly in the third quarter winning 21-12 but the Maldives regained their momentum and took the final quarter 22-8 to seal victory.

Earlier, Sri Lanka overwhelmed Bangladesh 115-11. Ekanayake Anjalee top scored in the match with 15 points. The Lankans scored 20-plus points in all four quarters, while their opponents Bangladesh reached double figures in total with a two points in the final quarter.

Sri Lanka opened with a 23-4 lead before winning the second quarter 22-2. They dominated the third period 28-3 before winning the final quarter 42-2.

Nepal and Sri Lanka — who will play in winners-take-all encounter on Saturday — are tied of the top of the five-team round-robin league with six points each from three matches. Bhutan and Bangladesh have three points each with one match remaining.