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▼ Hayashi’s 3 Lifts Japan Into Semis, Ousting Belgium 86-85
- Category:Event
Japan coach Tom Hovasse apologized to Belgium for letting his emotions get the best of him after the exciting end to their quarterfinals matchup in the women’s basketball tournament.
It was understandable. After all, making it to the medal round at the Olympics is a big deal.
Saki Hayashi hit a 3-pointer with 15.2 seconds left, and Japan advanced to the semifinals, edging Olympic newcomer Belgium 86-85 Wednesday after the Belgian Cats missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
“I felt bad for my overexuberant celebration,” Hovasse said. “I didn’t mean any disrespect to Belgium. I literally lost my mind for about 20 seconds after the buzzer went off. It was amazing. I hadn’t felt that way in a long, long time.”
Japan joined the U.S. and Serbia in the semifinals of the women’s basketball tournament Friday and will face either Spain or France. Hovasse said this is definitely the biggest win in Japan’s history.
“Until Friday,” Hovasse said. “That would top this.”
Yuki Miyazawa made three of her seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping Japan erase Belgium’s nine-point lead. Japan tied it the game four times down the stretch to set up the thrilling finish.
“I feel very relieved after the results of today’s match,” Miyazawa said. “For me particularly, my job is to do 3 point shots, so I’m very happy that I was able to have seven.”
Hayashi put Japan ahead to stay with her 3 from near the top of the key. Then Kim Mestdagh had a shot to give Belgium the win as the teams traded haymakers down the stretch, but her pull-up jumper from near the free throw line as time expired bounced off the rim.
Then the celebration began for the host nation. Players rushed the court, hugging teammates and yelling out exhilarating screams of joy after advancing to the medal round. They posed for photos and national pride was on full display as they were cheered on by supporters and volunteers at the Saitama Super Arena.
The Japanese earned their way into a second straight Olympics, finishing third in qualifying last year in Belgium. They entered the games ranked 10th in the world after finishing eighth at the 2016 Rio Games. Japan won without Ramu Tokashiki, a former member of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm who tore her right ACL last December.
Miyazawa finished with 21 points for Japan. Takada had 19, Himawari Akaho added 12 points and Rui Machida finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Nako Motohashi had 10.
Belgium made an impressive Olympic debut behind the play of Emma Meesseman. The MVP of the 2019 WNBA Finals with the Washington Mystics came into the quarterfinals leading all scorers, averaging 27.3 points a game.
Belgium also beat Japan last year during group play.
It was understandable. After all, making it to the medal round at the Olympics is a big deal.
Saki Hayashi hit a 3-pointer with 15.2 seconds left, and Japan advanced to the semifinals, edging Olympic newcomer Belgium 86-85 Wednesday after the Belgian Cats missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
“I felt bad for my overexuberant celebration,” Hovasse said. “I didn’t mean any disrespect to Belgium. I literally lost my mind for about 20 seconds after the buzzer went off. It was amazing. I hadn’t felt that way in a long, long time.”
Japan joined the U.S. and Serbia in the semifinals of the women’s basketball tournament Friday and will face either Spain or France. Hovasse said this is definitely the biggest win in Japan’s history.
“Until Friday,” Hovasse said. “That would top this.”
Yuki Miyazawa made three of her seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping Japan erase Belgium’s nine-point lead. Japan tied it the game four times down the stretch to set up the thrilling finish.
“I feel very relieved after the results of today’s match,” Miyazawa said. “For me particularly, my job is to do 3 point shots, so I’m very happy that I was able to have seven.”
Hayashi put Japan ahead to stay with her 3 from near the top of the key. Then Kim Mestdagh had a shot to give Belgium the win as the teams traded haymakers down the stretch, but her pull-up jumper from near the free throw line as time expired bounced off the rim.
Then the celebration began for the host nation. Players rushed the court, hugging teammates and yelling out exhilarating screams of joy after advancing to the medal round. They posed for photos and national pride was on full display as they were cheered on by supporters and volunteers at the Saitama Super Arena.
The Japanese earned their way into a second straight Olympics, finishing third in qualifying last year in Belgium. They entered the games ranked 10th in the world after finishing eighth at the 2016 Rio Games. Japan won without Ramu Tokashiki, a former member of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm who tore her right ACL last December.
Miyazawa finished with 21 points for Japan. Takada had 19, Himawari Akaho added 12 points and Rui Machida finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Nako Motohashi had 10.
Belgium made an impressive Olympic debut behind the play of Emma Meesseman. The MVP of the 2019 WNBA Finals with the Washington Mystics came into the quarterfinals leading all scorers, averaging 27.3 points a game.
Belgium also beat Japan last year during group play.
- August 4, 2021
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