Players of Japan celebrate after the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
OKINAWA, Japan, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Japan beat Cape Verde 80-71 in the classification games 17-32 at the 2023 FIBA World Cup here on Saturday.
Both teams played out a seesaw first quarter, while Japan drilled five three-pointers in the second quarter, helping them to lead the first half 50-37.
In the final quarter, Cape Verde managed to narrow the deficit with a 13-0 run until Josh Hawkinson scored six points in a row to stop the momentum and help Japan keep the lead to the end of the game.
With the victory, Japan directly qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as the best ranked team from Asia in the World Cup.
Hawkinson scored 29 points, Keisei Tominaga nailed six three-pointers, contributing 22 points off the bench. Yuki Kawamura added 14 points and eight assists for Japan.
Cape Verde's top performer Edy Tavares achieved a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds. ■
Yoshii Hirotaka (C) of Japan competes during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Tominaga Keisei (Front R) of Japan shakes hands with his teammate Watanabe Yuta after the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Kawamura Yuki (Front) of Japan breaks through during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Kenneti Mendes (Top, L) of Cape Verde shoots during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Ivan Almeida (C) of Cape Verde goes for a lay-up during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Watanabe Yuta (R) of Japan goes for a lay-up during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Ivan Almeida (1st L) of Cape Verde breaks through during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Kawamura Yuki (1st R) of Japan breaks through during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Kawamura Yuki (Top) of Japan goes for a lay-up during the classification round 17-32 match between Japan and Cape Verde at the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
