Japan turn on the style, win series opener over Tall Ferns
CHRISTCHURCH (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Japan's women are beginning to look like a team that is more than capable of defending its title at the FIBA Asia Championship.
Despite playing without Ramu Tokashiki, who is in the midst of her rookie WNBA campaign with the Seattle Storms, the Japanese have followed up a thrilling 76-75 win over Australia with a 73-58 triumph over New Zealand in Christchurch.
FT Japan 75 Tall Ferns 58 ENCOURAGING performance frm Tall Ferns especially with Taylor, Cocks and Wallbutton on reduced workload #TallFerns
— Basketball NZ (@BasketballNZ) August 5, 2015
Chinatsu Yamamoto poured in 15 points and Sanae Motokawa, who made the go-ahead shot for Japan in their victory over Australia with just 1.4 seconds remaining, had 14 against the Kiwis.
Playing fast and spreading the court, the team from the Far East buried seven of their 18 shots from long range.
Yamamoto was electric while coming off the bench and playing just under 14 minutes.
The 1.76m shooting guard took five shots from long range and made all of them.
The Tall Ferns are warming up for their FIBA Oceania Women's Championship series against Australia, which tips off 15 August in Melbourne and concludes with a second game two days later in Tauranga.
Japan, getting 10 first-half points from Motokawa, hit back from an early deficit to knot the contest at 17-17 by the end of the opening quarter.
Tall Ferns vs Japan - 17 all after Q1 pic.twitter.com/C3fgIimLyl
— Canterbury Rams (@CanterburyRams) August 4, 2015
The Japanese then began the second frame with an 11-4 run and took a 37-31 advantage to half-time before stretching the lead in the third quarter to 48-35 after a three-ball from Mika Kurihara.
Japan kept the pressure on with Yamamoto knocking down back-to-back shots from the arc late in the quarter, helping the visitors move in front, 60-44.
The lead ballooned to 20 in the fourth quarter after another three-pointer from Mio Shinozaki.
Micaela Cocks had 16 points and was the only Tall Fern to hit double digits in scoring.
The second encounter between the sides in the three-game series will be played on Friday night at Cowles.
The winner of the FIBA Asia Championship will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games while the sides that come in second and third will play in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).
The side that prevails in the FIBA Oceania Championship between Australia and New Zealand will earn a place in the Rio Games while the loser will play in the WOQT.
FIBA
