CHENNAI (India) - Qatar finally barged into the winners' circle of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers following a 69-53 victory over India on Friday night.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 hosts showed how much they have learned from a winless Window 1 campaign last February, turning in a strong second-half showing that silenced the 7,000 home fans that trooped to the Nehru Indoor Stadium.
Big man Tyler Harris and Mike Lewis II showed the way with 17 points apiece, with the former adding 12 rebounds to his name and netting an efficiency of 25 for a triumphant debut - not just for himself but for head coach Hakan Demir as well.
Babacar Dieng was as important with 13 points, as the trio played key roles in enabling the Qataris to seize control of the game for good in the third quarter.
As India's hot shooting from deep fizzled after the halftime break, the three went on to help the visitors capitalize on that situation, turning it up on both ends to limit their foes to just a measly 8 points while they built a 50-39 lead entering the fourth.
Muin Bek Hafeez did open the final frame with a jumper to cut the gap to a single digit, but that proved to be the closest they'd get as Ndoye Seydou sparked an 8-0 run - capped by Harris' free throws - to restore order, 58-41, with 6:31 remaining.
Qatar would lead by as many as 18 points, 64-46, following a perfect trip to the foul line by Moustafa Fouda with less than two minutes left to play.
The team from the Gulf eventually hiked their record to 1-2 in Group E after keeping India winless after three games now, pushing them into a tougher spot.
India were led by Hafeez with 17 points, 15 of which he made in the first half alone that all came from beyond the arc before losing his touch in the second half. Pranav Prince was his lone support as the lanky winger finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Qatar will now turn their attention on Iran in an awaited rematch on November 25 in Doha, looking to exact vengeance after losing a close one in their Window 1 duel.
Over at Group D action, Jordan maintained their position on top of the pool unscathed while Saudi Arabia took the no. 2 spot by taking care of their respective matches.
The Falcons took down Iraq, 73-64, to protect homecourt at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, but not before overcoming a tough stand by their counterparts.
Dar Tucker finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds, coming through in the fourth by sparking their finishing 10-3 run to ward off the comeback bid of the visitors, who got to within a field goal, 63-61, behind Demario Mayfield with 3:45 remaining.
All that Tucker did was convert a rare four-point play heading into the last three minutes, and momentum would shift their way since as Ashraf Alhendi, Freddy Ibrahim, and Ahmad Al Dwairi chipped in to make it a 73-61 lead in the final seconds.
Ibrahim delivered 15 points and 10 rebounds. Hashem Abbas made 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Abu Hawwas supplied 12 points, while Dwairi added 11 and 10 as all five starters of Coach Wesam Al Sous finished in double figures in the win.
Leading Iraq was Ihab Al-Zuhairi with 13 points, with Murad Zewki, Ali Ismael, and Mayfield all providing support although their efforts weren't enough to pull off an upset - something that their fans hoped for when they led at the half, 39-36.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia - hosts of next year's Asia Cup - kept Palestine in search of a win, 73-66, to improve to 2-1 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Riyadh.
Towering slotman Mo Alsuwailem showed the way with all-around numbers of 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and an Asia Cup Qualifiers record of 6 blocks, which is also tied for second among all Continental Cup Qualifiers - all-time.
Fahad Belal went 5-of-9 from three-point distance for 15 points, while Marzouq Almuwallad added 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in the victory.
Together, they wasted the Palestine debut of Brian Halums, who made a game-high 21 points as he tried to keep his side in it but the home team proved too much especially in the fourth quarter, where the latter raced to a 64-51 lead wit 4:24 left.
Also going down the drain because of the defeat were the showings of Jamal Mayali and Elias Sawalha, who had 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Group D action continues on Monday, November 25. Jordan will take on Palestine, while Saudi will face Iraq - games that will be both be held in Jeddah.
FIBA