Japan's Saki Hayashi (27) celebrates after making a three point basket during women's basketball preliminary round game against Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
SAITAMA, Japan (AP) - Saki Hayashi scored 23 points and Japan shot its way into the quarterfinals with a 102-83 rout of Nigeria on Monday in the final pool play game for both teams.
Yuki Miyazwa added 19 points for the host nation, which made 19 3-pointers in the game.
Japan (2-1) got off to a fast start from the field, making seven of its first nine 3-point attempts to go up 30-22 after the first quarter. Nigeria cut its deficit to 38-36 before Japan scored 13 straight points to take control. Hayashi had consecutive 3-pointers sandwiched around a steal of the inbounds pass in between them. She had 20 points in the half, hitting six 3-pointers.
Japan led 51-38 at halftime after hitting 12 of its 19 3-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes. The Japanese team didn't cool off much in the second half as Nigeria never was able to get back in the game.
Nigeria (0-3) became the latest African country to not win a game in the Olympics. Nigeria was the last team from the continent to be victorious in the Olympics when that team went 1-5 in the 2004 Athens Games.
Victoria Macaulay scored 18 to lead Nigeria.
Japan's Saki Hayashi (27) celebrates with teammate Maki Takada (8) after making a three point basket during women's basketball preliminary round game against Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Japan's Saki Hayashi (27), right, steals the ball from Nigeria's Promise Amukamara (10), left, during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Nigeria's Oderah Chidom (22) shoots over Japan's Naho Miyoshi (12) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Nigeria's Aisha Mohammed (9) high five with head coach Otis Hughley Jr as she exits the game during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Nigeria's Erinma Ogwumike (31, left, tries to steal the ball from Japan's Nanako Todo (20) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Japan's Evelyn Mawuli (30) drives to the basket past Nigeria's Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah (3), center left, during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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Japan's Moeko Nagaoka (0), second right, shoots over Nigeria's Oderah Chidom (22), right, during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Japan's Nako Motohashi (15), front, drives around Nigeria's Oderah Chidom (22) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press