Indian girls suffered several anxious moments in the last few minutes but still managed to pip host Malaysia 60-59 in the FIBA Asia under-18 basketball championship at Johor Bahru on Friday evening.
The victory over Malaysia, which finished last in Level I this time, helped Level II topper India return to the championship’s premier division in the next edition in 2014, after a gap of four years.
Shireen Limaye kept the Malaysian playmaker Teo Chu Yun on a tight leash and also came up with 11 rebounds, nine in defence, three assists and four steals before being sent out with five fouls with about two minutes remaining.
In other action, China defeated Korea 72-46 in the semifinal and will meet the winner of the other game, between Japan and Chinese Taipei, in the final.
The result (Level I qualifying match): India 60 (P.S. Jeena 24, P.G. Anjana 10) bt Malaysia 59.
