TOKYO (Japan) - It proved to be a historic night for Japanese basketball as the team's increasingly impressive preparations for the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 were played out in front of a record-breaking crowd.
A stunning 11,624 fans were inside the Ariake Arena in Tokyo to watch the local favorites roar past New Zealand 125-87 in the Mitsui Fudosan Cup.
It was party time as supporters were treated to another eye-catching display, with Japan simply too good for the Tall Ferns in every department.
It was the now familiar figure of new team leader Mai Yamamoto who set the tone as she poured in 20 points. That included a deluge of triples as she found the hot hand from long-range.
The free-scoring guard also handed out seven assists too, but when it came to passing the rock, it was her teammate Yuki Miyazawa who took that crown with a fabulous 12 dimes.
Meanwhile sister act Evelyn and Stephanie Mawuli netted 17 and 14 points respectively.
FIBA