A crunch time Maki Takada three-point play and a key Moeko Nagaoka jumper from deep delivered Japan a win in the first game of the Tokyo Olympics women's basketball competition Tuesday, the hosts defeating France 74-70 in a thriller.
A late turnover by Himawari Akaho made the final 10 seconds of the game uncomfortable, but Japan top-scorer Saki Hayashi showed great poise by sinking two free throws to seal the deal at Saitama Super Arena.
"It was a fun game to be around and I'm just glad we got on the right side of the win," said Japan's American coach Tom Hovasse.
Hayashi scored 12 off the bench, while starters Nagaoka and Takada added 11 and 10 points, respectively, to pace a balanced Japanese offense. Rui Machida was the catalyst, her seven points on 3-for-3 shooting and 11 assists a major factor.
Japan shot just 40 percent from the floor but made 11 of their 27 three-point attempts, the long ball proving key as France struggled from distance, making just 4-for-19, despite shooting a higher percentage overall.
The physicality of the French team posed problems for Japan at times, but with speed and guile, the host squad was able to grind out the win.
"Because the Japanese guards are much smaller than French players, defense is the key part (of our game), and it is the Japanese basketball. Today it worked great," said Takada.
"We knew it would be a tough game, but I think we all went into the game thinking we could win."
Sandrine Gruda top-scored for the Europeans with 18 and Endene Miyem netted 12 for the Rio Olympics semifinalists who also lost to Japan in the group phase at the last Olympics.
Japan next face six-time reigning Olympic champions the United States, and they may have to do it without bench weapon Nako Motohashi who suffered an apparent injury when a French player fell on her leg.
"I don't want to be loosey-goosey. So that's our goal. We're going to be loose because we're such massive underdogs," said Hovasse.
"To be honest with you, over the last three months, we haven't talked about America at all. It's been France. From here on, we can scout them (USA) and figure out adjustments that we can make."
The Americans beat Nigeria later on Tuesday, A'Ja Wilson scoring 19 points and snagging 13 rebounds while Brittney Griner contributed 13 points and 10 boards.
