Japan crushed India 103-27 on the opening day of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division-A basketball tournament, at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here on Tuesday.
The defending champion proved to be superior to India in every department of the game. The trademark Japanese offensive speed left India gasping, and tight defence gave the home team little option but to attempt wild shots and layups.
Himawari Akaho was the star performer of the match, recording 23 points. Point guard Rui Machida kept the action at a hectic pace, and spread the ball well.
It was Akaho who got Japan on the scoreboard, with an early corner three-pointer. Only a few seconds later, skipper Maki Takada found herself without company under the board to complete a perfect fast-break play.
It was a pattern that repeated itself countless times in the encounter. The Japan unit was not quite the well-oiled machine seen in the previous edition, but on the day, it was enough to coast to victory.
For India, Shireen Limaye (11 points) stood out. Shireen, the hero of India’s victorious Division-B campaign in 2017, was unafraid to drive through the lane and take a few bumps. In total, India managed to convert only 10 of 56 field-goal attempts (17.9 per cent), and one of 12 three-point shots (8.3 per cent).
India next take on South Korea – another tough Group-A opponent — here on Wednesday.
Earlier, a dominant Australia dismissed Philippines 123-57 in Group-B. No less than eight Australian players made double-digit scores. Ezi Magbegor – the 12th pick in the 2019 WNBA draft – topped the charts with 18 points.
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