Himalayan News Service

New Delhi, July 6:

Nepal lost to India 50-131 in their opening match of the Middle Asia Zone qualifiers for the Asian Basketball Championship in New Delhi today.

Nepal never tested the Indians, who are already qualified for the 23rd FIBA Asia Basketball Tournament, to be held in Doha in September, at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium. India asserted their supremacy as Talwinderjit Singh opened the scoring with a three-pointer. India again scored through long rangers as they made full use of height advantage.

Talwinderjit emerged as the top-scorer with 19 points, followed by skipper S Sridhar (14) and H Laldinsanga who tallied 13 points. It took Nepal quite an effort to open their account and by the time they managed to do so the scoreboard read 2-24. At the end of the first quarter, India were 29-2 up. The second quarter saw Indians relaxing a bit and Nepali players making inroads through Rupak Gurung, who emerged as the top-scorer for Nepal with 10 points. The other leading scorers for Nepal were Rabindra Maharjan (9) and Manish Lama (6).

The Indians had things back in control towards the end of the quarter as they led 49-16 at the halfway mark.