BERLIN - Japan went down 74-58 against host Germany at the Women's Basketball World Cup on Saturday as all four teams in Group A sat level on three points after two games with one win and loss each.
A 28-11 deficit from the first quarter at Berlin's Max-Schmeling-Halle weighed heavily on Japan, which won against Mali in their opener on Friday.
Japan dominated the second quarter 18-6 to go within five points at halftime but its lack of accuracy behind the arc did not help, sinking only 3 from 27 in the game, in stark contrast to its Women's World Cup record of 20 scored against Mali.
"Germany took control from the start of the game and we couldn't break the momentum," point guard Mai Yamamoto said. "We weren't finishing our moves off with shots, including myself."
Frieda Buhner led the game with 19 points followed by 18 from teammate Nyara Sabally as Germany bounced back to end the third quarter 58-39 on its way to its first win. Kokoro Tanaka scored most for Japan with 15.
"We were flustered in trying one-on-ones looking to make fast offense, and also went for impossible shots," center Maki Takada said.
Japan faces Spain in their final group-stage game on Monday. The four group winners in the 16-team competition advance to the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing second and third will play a quarterfinal qualifying round.
