Japan\'s women\'s basketball team narrowly defeated China 61-58 in a high-stakes pre-Olympic warm-up game in Xi\'an, Shaanxi Province. Star player Akaho Himawari led Japan with 15 points, while China\'s Zhang Ru and Luo Xinyu delivered early momentum with sharp three-pointers.
🏀 Quarter-by-Quarter Rollercoaster
China dominated early, ending Q1 at 20-13. But Japan stormed back in Q2, capitalizing on a five-minute scoring drought to tie the game 31-31 by halftime. A back-and-forth third quarter saw China clinging to a slim lead before Japan\'s Mai Yamamoto and Evelyn Mawuli ignited a comeback with clutch three-pointers.
🔥 Final Minutes: Edge-of-Your-Seat Drama
Japan\'s Saki Hayashi and Yamamoto sealed a 51-50 lead early in Q4. Akaho extended the gap to seven points with a smooth layup, leaving China scrambling. Despite a late defensive push, Japan held firm. \'The busy schedule is a challenge,\' admitted China\'s coach Zheng Wei post-game. A rematch is set for Friday!
🌍 Why This Matters for Paris 2024
This clash is a litmus test for both teams ahead of the Olympics. Japan, the Tokyo 2020 silver medalists, showcased resilience, while China\'s young roster proved they can hang with the best. Stay tuned for Round 2! 🥇
