Thousands of roaring supporters failed to lift the Indian team as they lost to Uzbekistan 78-87 in the last match of the Middle Asia Zone qualifying round for the Asian basketball championships in Delhi on Saturday.

Despite the defeat, India qualified for the Asian championships, to be held in China in September, finishing second in the zone with six points behind Uzbekistan, who finished on top with eight points from four matches.

Trailing 62-63 at the end of the third quarter, the Uzbeks went all out in the last quarter and with superb play by S Mikhail, who top scored with 26 points, and D Sergey, who collected 22 points, edged past the Indians for whom S Robinson emerged the top scorer with 18 points.