SURAT THANI, Thailand (20th FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women): Malaysia scored the first six points of the game, never looked back thence and cantered through to a 63-40 win over India in the Level I Qualifying Play-Off on Tuesday.

The result helped Malaysia maintain their status as a Level I team for the next edition. India will have to wait for another two years in the lower level.

“We are obviously happy,” Malaysia coach Yoon Choo Seck said.

“We took the initiative and built on it very well. The girls rose to the occasion rather well,” she said.

“I liked the way we controlled the proceedings throughout. It boosts our confidence,” Yoon said.

Having led throughout, Malaysia broke away further with a 12-0 run in an all-round scoring show and closed the first half comfortably ahead at 36-18.

The SEABA team only grew in confidence and strength after that.

Eugene Ting led the Malaysian charge in the first half. She converted four of her nine field attempts – to score eight points – and collected six rebounds – five of them in defense all in the first ten minutes.

Ting finished with a double-double – a team-high 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Saw Wei Yin, who collected eight rebounds in the first half picked a game-high 13 rebounds.

Koo Hui Zen and Ng Shi Yeng both scored 10 points each, and both scored six points apiece in the first half.

Kavita’s game-high 15 point went in vain.

“We lost it early in the game. After giving them that lead, it was always going to be difficult,” said India coach Abdul Hameed Khan.

Yoon Choo Seck expressed pleasant surprise at the margin of victory.

“I think it is a tribute to our defense. We actually didn’t think too hard, because that would have put the girls under pressure. We just told them to play good defense and not miss the chances,” she said.

“It worked well for us,” she added.

For Game Statistics and Detailed scores click here

FIBA Asia