Yuka Mamiya stars as Japan knock Puerto Rica out of 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament for Women
Yuka Mamiya hammered a game high 29 points and hauled down 15 rebounds to ensure a next round passage for Japan in the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament for Women.
Yuko Oga scored 17 points, handed out 5 assists and made steals while Ryoko Yano delivered 13 points on a 5-of-6 shooting including three triples as the Japanese overcame the Puerto Ricans 79-70.
After getting beaten by Turkey in their previous encounters, both teams came into the game with a do or die situation at hand. On the night though, it was a solid shooting effort from the Japanese – 53.7 percent from the two point
range – that made the difference.
The Asians made a strong start to the game, racking up an 8-2 run, and were leading by 14-6 inside the first six minutes. Japan continued to dominate and took their advantage into double figures, 19-9, late in the first quarter.
The period eventually ended at 19-11.
Tanaka opened the second quarter with a three pointer that pushed Japan’s lead back into the double figures, 22-11. In the ensuing passage though, the South Americans rattled the Japanese with a 11-1 spurt to make it 22-23 and
were trailing by only two, 28-30, at the half.
Inside the first minutes of the third quarter, the Puerto Ricans tied the game at 30 and it seemed that they will take the lead. However, the Japanese quickly changed the momentum with a 12-6 span and after Puerto Rica closed within
two again, 42-40, they managed to reel off a 10-3 burst to close the third quarter with a 52-43 lead.
A 16-8 run to start the final 10 minutes then completely knocked the steam out of the Puerto Ricans and gave Japanese their biggest lead of the night, at 68-51.
Japan were leading by 73-56 midway through the fourth when Puerto Rica slammed a 14-4 run. However, by then, it was a bit too late as the Japanese cruised into the next round with a 79-70 decision.
The South Americans were led by their shooting guard Jazmine Sepulveda, who scored 24 points on a 8 of 14 shooting from the floor, which had four three pointers. Carla Cortijo also had 17 points, but except the duo, no other player
managed to score above six points.
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