In the first quarter, Makoto Higashimura scores with a layup, while Emma Meesseman responds with a fadeaway jump shot. The first two minutes were tightly contested. Subsequently, Julie Allemand hits consecutive threes, and Rui Machida makes both free throws after drawing a foul. In the opening five minutes, Japan trails Belgium 6-10. Japan then made extensive substitutions but failed to score, while Belgium went on a 9-1 run. By the end of the first quarter, Japan is behind Belgium 7-19.
In the second quarter, Astou Ndour scores with a runner, and Kaede Kondo hits a trailing three-pointer. Makoto Higashimura scores with a turnaround jump shot. In the first three minutes of this quarter, Japan trails 12-23 against Belgium. Julie Allemand scores with a cutting layup, and both Makoto Higashimura and Shiori Shinoda hit threes. Belgium calls a timeout. Julie Allemand and Emma Meesseman score six points in succession, and Shiori Shinoda and Astou Ndour trade three-pointers. Thanks to Emma Meesseman’s successful 2+1 play, at the end of the second quarter, Japan is down 22-39 against Belgium.
In the third quarter, Emma Meesseman scores with a reverse layup. Julie Allemand passes quickly to Emma Meesseman for a layup and assists with another easy basket. Belgium builds a 22-point lead, prompting Japan to call a timeout. Nanako Tominaga scores with a fastbreak layup, and Astou Ndour scores with an easy basket. In the first five minutes of this quarter, Japan trails Belgium 32-49. Emma Meesseman scores with a flying layup, Kim De Leur adds two more points, and Emma Meesseman scores again. Evelyn Akhator hits an improbable three-pointer. At the end of the third quarter, Japan is down 39-59 against Belgium.
In the fourth quarter, Emma Meesseman scores with an easy basket, and Shiori Shinoda hits a three-pointer. Astou Ndour scores with a finger roll, and Belgium leads by 24 points. With 6:47 left in the quarter, all of Japan’s starters are substituted out, while Belgium keeps its starting lineup on the court. As Emma Meesseman scores with an easy basket, and Shina Aiba hits both free throws after drawing a foul, Japan is down 42-68 against Belgium. Kaede Kondo hits both free throws, and Julie Allemand nails a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Japan falls behind by 27 points, and Julie Allemand scores another three-pointer. However, Japan responds with a three-pointer. Both teams continue scoring, but Belgium extends its lead back to 30 points. The gap remains around 30 points. After Rui Machida steals the ball, Stephanie Mavunga makes both free throws, and the gap stands at 27 points.
Ultimately, Belgium defeats Japan 85-58 and advances.
Player statistics for the Japanese women’s basketball team: Shiori Shinoda (13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal); E. Mauri (12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist); Makoto Higashimura (7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal); Nako Motohashi (7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal); Rui Machida (5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals); Kaede Kondo (5 points, 5 rebounds); Nanako Tominaga (5 points, 1 assist, 1 steal); Risa Komeda (2 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal); S. Mauri (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal); Yuki Miyazawa (1 rebound, 1 assist);
Player statistics for the Belgian women’s basketball team: Emma Meesseman (30 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal); Julie Allemand (16 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals); Astou Ndour (12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists); Kim De Leur (12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal); Shina Aiba (6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals); Gielo Vanloo (5 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 1 steal); Emma Meesseman (4 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists); Jolys (2 rebounds);
Belgium’s starting lineup: Julie Allemand, Kim De Leur, Emma Meesseman, Shina Aiba, Gielo Vanloo
Japan’s starting lineup: Makoto Higashimura, Rui Machida, Shiori Shinoda, Rui Machida, Kaede Kondo