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Basketball: U.S. women overcome Japan long to seal second win

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On Friday, Team USA shut down Japan’s long ball game to improve to 2-0 in the Olympic women’s basketball preliminary round.

In the first quarter, Japan led thanks to its three-point shooting accuracy. The Americans, though, changed their defensive strategy and led 86-69 in the Saitama Super Arena, north of Tokyo, after the final whistle.

“They were always in the game,” Team USA coach Dawn Michelle Staley said about Japan. “The gap is closing with us and Japan and the rest of the world.”

A’Ja Wilson, who plays for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, led in scoring for the U.S. with 20 points. The Americans will face Nigeria on Monday for their last match in the preliminaries.

The Belgium women’s team cruised to a second victory in group play with an 87-52 win over Puerto Rico, who slid to 0-2. Belgian sisters Kim and Hanne Mestdagh combined for 33 points.

The Belgian Cats beat Australia on Tuesday and will attempt a clean sweep of Group C when they face China on Monday.

“China will be a whole different game, very physical, something completely different than what we’ve seen against Australia and today,” said Hanne Mestdagh.

“We’re going to enjoy the win on the day, recover a little bit, and tomorrow on we’ll fully prepare for China.”

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