WUHAN (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) - In a re-match of championship protagonists from 2013, Japan slipped past rival Korea, 59-53, in Level I (Group A) on Day 1 of the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship in Wuhan.

It was a battle of contrasting styles with Japan going almost exclusively to their frontcourt players in the paint, while Korea relied more on their outside shooting prowess.

Coach Tomohide Utsui's team, however, was steadier down the stretch, making the big plays that ensured they would end up with the victory. WNBA player Ramu Tokashiki paced the winners with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while compatriot Sanae Motokawa added 12 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Korea, meanwhile, saw Yang Ji-Hee and Kim Jung-Eun score 15 points each in the losing cause.

Turning Point: Two key misses from the free-throw line by Kim Jung-Eun with 1:58 left were very telling as Japan held just a 3-point lead, 56-53, at the time. After that miss, Ramu Tokashiki drew the fifth foul from Korea’s Yang Ji-Hee, which compounded the troubles of coach We Sung-Woo’s squad.

Stats Don't Lie: Japan's inside play was just too much for Korea in this one. The Japanese outworked their foes in the rebounding department, 40-33, and really tested Korea's interior defense, scoring 32 points in the paint.

Game Hero: Team captain Asami Yoshida scored only 7 points, but she made her presence felt in many other ways. She handed out a team-high 6 assists, grabbed 6 rebounds, and recorded an amazing 5 steals. She was the epitome of relentlessness and perhaps the biggest reason Japan came away triumphant.

The Bottom Line: It was a nip-and-tuck affair early on, but Japan was just too strong around the basket. It's clear that Korea need to take better care of the basketball if they harbor any hopes of improving on their second place finish in 2013. Coach Utsui has a lot of weapons at his disposal, and he showcased them to full effect in this encounter. If Japan continue to play with a high level of energy and aggression, they have a great chance to defend their crown.

FIBA