Bahrain Beat Saudi Arabia in U18 Asia Qualifier
Bahrain hit back from a half-time scare to beat Saudi Arabia 62-54 in Doha on Saturday and open their FIBA U18 Asia Cup qualifying run with a win.
They flew out of the blocks, racing into a 16-6 lead after the first quarter, but Saudi Arabia struck back before the break.
A 20-8 second quarter turned the game on its head and sent Bahrain into half-time 26-24 down.
Then came the reply.
Bahrain took charge in the third quarter, piling on 21 points while holding Saudi Arabia to 11. By the end of the period, they were 45-37 ahead and in control.
The last quarter ended 17-17, leaving Bahrain to see out an eight-point win at Al Gharafa Sports Hall.
Towering centre Somto Patrick Onoduenyi led Bahrain’s scoring charge, with Mohammed Rayan, Ahmed Hassan Mohamed and Hassan Abdulkadir also finding the basket late in the game.
A full box score giving each player’s final tally had yet to be released.
The Doha qualifiers bring together Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman in a single round-robin contest.
The top three sides will earn places at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Ahmedabad, India, from August 13 to 23.
Bahrain face Kuwait on Sunday, Oman on Monday and hosts Qatar in their last match on Thursday.
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