Basketball: Bahrain down Thailand 80-60

Ali Ahmed Jamal scored a game-high 25 points to spearhead the victors. He also had six rebounds and two steals. Mansoor Hussain chipped in with a serviceable 10 markers as the only other Bahraini to finish in double-figures.

Bahrain, coached by veteran tactician Aqeel Milad, began the game well, making seven out of 13 shots including one three-pointer to race out to a nine-point lead, 21-12, at the end of the first. They attempted 11 foul shots in the entire period alone, as the Thais tried to hold them with physical play.

The nationals extended their lead in the second despite cooling down considerably from the field. They still managed to take a comfortable 40-26 advantage into half-time, and they never squandered the double-digit lead from there.

Bahrain stretched the gap even further to 61-39 at the end of three quarters, before cruising in the final period to secure the lopsided 20-point triumph.

Bahrain out-rebounded Thailand 45-39 in yesterday's affair.

They also had double the assists, dishing out 12 to just six from the Thais.

The Bahrainis had a miserable day from the foul stripe, however. They took 34 charities but made only half of their attempts. Thailand weren't any better, making just six out of 18.