Baba tops scoring as Japan blows out Iran, sweeps series

Yudai Baba

Yudai Baba (196-SF-1995) scored a game-high 21 points for Japan in an 80-58 blowout of Iran at Xebio Arena Sendai on Sunday. Yuki Togashi (170-PG-1993) and Makoto Hiejima (190-G/F-1990) also added 12 points apiece as Akatsuki Japan swept the two-game international friendly series following Saturday's narrow 82-77 win. Head coach Tom Hovasse's team outscored the visitors 25-14 in the second quarter and remained in control for the rest of the contest, stretching the lead to 20 points by midway through the third quarter. Japan shot just 30 percent from the three-point arc but hit 64 percent from the field overall, while holding Iran to 44.1 percent shooting. The hosts were also a perfect 12-from-12 from the free-throw line. "We didn't hit that many three pointers, but sometimes you have those kind of games," Hovasse said. "From a defensive perspective, we had a really good game." Amirhossein Yazarloo (196-SF-2002, agency: Domantay Sports) scored a team-high 15 points for Iran. Hovasse, who coached Japan's women to Olympic silver last summer, has experimented with several lineups while steering the men's squad toward the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which Japan will co-host with Indonesia and the Philippines. While NBA forwards Rui Hachimura (203-F-1998, college: Gonzaga) and Yuta Watanabe (206-F-1994, college: GWU) have not featured in recent international games, they are set to be the cornerstones of a World Cup team that is also likely to include 21-year-old University of Nebraska Omaha guard Keisei Tominaga. Japan will play Iran in the next round of Asian World Cup qualifying in Tehran on Aug. 25.
Courtesy of: nordot.app

Tags : YUDAI BABA, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL