2013 FIBA Asia Championship: India lose to Korea 95-54

India lost their third and final game against South Korea 95-54 in the second round of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship held at Manila, Philippines.

India were crushed 102-58 against Iran in game one of the second round and lost their second game 79-45 to China last evening.

Korea were quick out of the blocks in this one and raced to an early 12-5 lead that led to Scott Flemming calling for an Indian timeout.

The Indian defence failed to defend their opponents pick and rolls as the Koreans rained them down from all corners of the court. The Indians weren’t much better on the offensive end either as they were guilty of turnover after turnover.

At the end of the first quarter, India trailed by 17 with the score, 28-11.

The second quarter began with Satam Singh, who brought in late in the first quarter, making his presence felt with offensive rebounds. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi opened the scoring with a neat fadeaway jumper as the Koreans forced the Indians to take tough shots.

Narender Kumar Grewal, India’s top-scorer at the tournament, wasn’t able to enforce himself like he had in the previous games as India struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking.

At the other end, the more athletic Koreans drained three-pointer after three-pointer after seamlessly rotating the ball play-after-play. They sank a total of seven threes just in the first half.

Korea’s Lee Seung-Jun wrapped the quarter in style with a massive two-handed jam; one for the highlight reel that. At the half, Korea led 47-22.

The Koreans began the third quarter were they left off. Korea’s big Lee Seung-Jun made light work of Satnam Singh, easily driving past the slower centre.

25-year-old Kim Sun-Hyung made sure there was more footage for the highlight reel as he made two reverse lay-ups to extend Korea’s massive lead.

As Flemming’s boys struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking, it was easy to see why as they struggled to break through the Koreans full court press.

Towards the end of the third though, the Indian bench stepped up with most of the team in foul trouble. Joginder Singh had ten points at the end of the quarter and Pratnam Singh ensured India had a play on the highlight reel with a three followed by a steal and reverse lay-in.

At the end of the third, Korea increased their lead to 23, 63-60. Korea shot 60% and lead the table on blocks as India barley shot a paltry 40%. Add to that they had made 10 turnovers at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter began with both teams fielding their bench. But not much had changed as India turned over the ball time and again.

Substitutes Rikin Pethani and Pratnam Singh were making a case for more playing time as Pethani made a jumper off a sweet spin move and Pratnam shot yet another three.

19-year-old point guard Choi Jon-Yong was having the game of his life and reached double figures after yet another drive and-1.

India’s Bhriguvanshi was then fouled out of the game, leading Coach Femmming to field five Singh’s during the last couple of minutes. Joginder Singh became the second Indian to be fouled out with 12 seconds remaining on clock.

India’s defence cost them the game as they were unable to contain the faster, more athletic Koreans. They did themselves no favours either as they turned over the ball 15 times, leading to 17 points in all.

India shot a poor 38% as compared to Korea’s 55% and made only five three-pointers to Korea’s eleven. They also had only one blocked shot to Korea’s ten.

India’s top scorer was Prantam Singh with 18 points followed by Pethani (11) and Joginder (10). Grewal surprisingly finished without any points. For Korea Kim Min-Goo and Cho Sung-Min top scored with 14 followed by youngster Choi Jon-Yong (13).

Korea were already through to the quarterfinals and will now take on Qatar. While India managed have only managed one win in six games thus far. They will take on Japan on August 9 to determine spots for 9^th and 11^th place finishes.

Additional reporting by Rohith Nair.