YAMAGATA (Kyodo) The Japan women's basketball team beat New Zealand 86-71 to clinch its three-game exhibition series two games to one on Tuesday.
New Zealand opened up a four-point lead after the first quarter at the General Sports Center, but Japan rallied in the second quarter as Ai Mitani and Ayumi Suzuki poured in the points to help the host go up 47-40 at halftime.
Asami Yoshida shone in the fourth quarter as Japan pulled away for victory to boost its preparations for the Sept. 23-Oct. 3 FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic.
Mitani and Suzuki both had 18 points each for Japan. Jillian Harmon nailed a game-high 34 points for New Zealand.