SYDNEY (AP) – Japan produced another commanding performance at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup with a heavy 88-52 victory over New Zealand in the semifinals on Saturday.
After beating defending champions Australia by 25 points in pool play earlier in the week to top the standings – and earn qualification for next year’s Paris Olympics – Japan started quickly and never really gave New Zealand a foothold in the game.
Australia and China, the defending champions, play the other semi-final match at a later date, with the winner facing Japan in Sunday’s final.
Japan won every quarter of Saturday’s game as forward Stephanie Mawley notched 17 points and six rebounds from 19 minutes on the court, while Monica Okoye had 16 points and five rebounds in the lopsided game.
Charles Legere-Walker led New Zealand by 14 points.
The eight-team regional tournament doubles as next year’s Olympic qualifiers, with the semi-finalists – Japan, Australia, China and New Zealand – advancing to Paris 2024.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports And https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Join the conversation