France forward Valeriane Ayayi, left, and Japan forward Ramu Tokashiki battle for the rebound during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Asami Yoshida scored 24 points to lead Japan to a 79-71 win over France 79-71 Saturday to wrap up its group play in women's basketball.
Japan came to the Olympics looking to improve on its best Olympic finish, which was fifth in 1976. Now Japan (3-2) will play the U.S. in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
Isabelle Yacoubou came off the bench for France (3-2) and still finished with a team-high 14 points.
The French led 19-17 at the end of the first quarter when Amel Bouderra's 3 beat the buzzer, but Japan led 40-32 at halftime thanks to Sanae Motokawa who scored all of her 17 points in the first half.
Japan took its biggest lead at the end of the third when Yoshida's 3 just before the quarter expired at 63-54, and they led by as much as 12 finishing off the win for their excited fans.
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Online:
AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/
France guard Marine Johannes (17) brings the ball up court past Japan guard Kaede Kondo during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
France guard Gaelle Skrela (12) dribbles past Japan guard Asami Yoshida during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
France forward Marielle Amant, right, looks for the basket defended by Japan forward Ramu Tokashiki during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
France forward Isabelle Yacoubou (4) drives around Japan forward Ramu Tokashiki during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press