HIROSHIMA -- Live by the 3-pointer and die by the 3-pointer.

News photo Japan's Joji Takeuchi (right) and New Zealand's Casey Frank fight for the ball during the Tall Blacks' 60-57 win over host Japan on Wednesday in Hiroshima. AP PHOTO

This strategy has been a trademark of the undersized Japan National Team. On Wednesday night, New Zealand's 3-pointers proved to the final dagger in Japan's hopes of pulling off a second straight win.