Japan's women's basketball team had a formula they hoped would give them a win over the United States on Friday, they fell 86-69 but gave the Americans all they could handle for a stretch of the game at the Tokyo Olympics.
Japan ramped up the defensive intensity at Saitama Super Arena, pressing full-court at every opportunity while bombing away from deep, hoping they could turn the Americans over and cash in with productive possessions.
And for the first quarter, their formula worked. They shot 6-for-10 from three and 12-for-19 overall to take a two-point lead into the first break.
But an American team looking for their 51st straight win at the Olympic Games and seventh straight gold was not going to be held in check for long.
From the second quarter on, the Americans' huge size and strength advantage allowed them to assert control in the paint while slowing the high-octane Japanese offense. They established a lead and grew it to as many as 20 in the fourth quarter.
Maki Takada top-scored for Japan with 15 points, shooting 75 percent from the floor, seven of her points coming in the first quarter when the game was in the balance.
She was helped along by nine points and 11 assists from sparkplug point guard Rui Machida.
"I think we could have covered more of the court," reflected Machida.
"Japan made the grade in Rio due to their speed and this time we aim to play at an even higher tempo. If we can run for 40 minutes, I don't feel like there is anyone that we can't beat."
The United States' monster frontcourt of A'Ja Wilson and Brittney Griner were, unsurprisingly given their physical tools, an unstoppable force, scoring 20 and 15 points, respectively.
With the top team from each group qualifying plus the two best third-place teams, Japan still has an excellent chance of reaching the quarterfinals.
The United States will almost certainly move through as Group B's top qualifier, but with a win in their last game against Nigeria on Monday, Japan has every chance of joining them.
