NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korea pulled away in the closing stages to beat host Japan 100-83 here on Sunday, completing a perfect group-stage campaign in the men's basketball competition at the 2026 Asian Games, while Iran and Chinese Taipei also advanced to the quarterfinals.
Japan led 42-40 at halftime and moved four points clear early in the third quarter before South Korea responded with a 10-0 run.
With his team trailing 63-59 and less than two minutes remaining in the period, Lee Jung-hyun took the center stage as he scored 12 points in the final 100 seconds, including a three-point play and three 3-pointers, sending South Korea into the fourth quarter with a 71-66 advantage.
South Korea maintained the momentum and outscored Japan 29-17 in the final period to seal the win.
Lee finished with a game-high 25 points and seven assists, sinking five 3-pointers. Jang Jae-seok added 18 points, while Lee Hyun-jung contributed 16 points and seven assists.
South Korea shot 51 percent from the field and scored 60 points in the second half.
The victory left South Korea top of Group A with three straight wins, while Japan finished second with a 2-1 record. Both teams advanced to the last eight.
In the group's other match, Saudi Arabia defeated Indonesia 100-89. Muhammad Abdurrahkman poured in 41 points and Mohammed Alsuwailem added 33, with the pair accounting for nearly three-quarters of Saudi Arabia's total.
In Group B, Iran broke open a tight contest against Jordan by winning the third quarter 27-16 on the way to an 81-68 victory. Mohammad Jamshidi scored 30 points as Iran secured top spot in the group.
Chinese Taipei also reached the quarterfinals after beating Qatar 91-69. Lin Ting-Chien led the team with 21 points, while Chinese Taipei made 17 3-pointers and recorded 26 assists.
China, who won its first two Group C matches, will face the Philippines on Monday with first place in the group at stake. ■
