The USA and Japan secured the first place in their respective groups as they defeated Great Britain and the Netherlands respectively in the fourth day of preliminary games on Wednesday, September 10.
Forward Ikumi Takubo and guard Mari Amimoto combined for 49 points to lead unbeaten Japan past the Netherlands 65-49 and secure first place in group B of the Women's Wheelchair Basketball at the USTB Gymnasium on Wednesday, September 10.
Takubo scored 19 of her 25 points in the second half, while Amimoto, the tournament leading scorer in the first four days, netted nine of her 19 shots and added six rebounds.
Japan ended the preliminary round unbeaten after defeating China, Mexico and upsetting world champion Canada on Tuesday. They will now enjoy a day-off before they face the fourth-seeded team of group B in the quarterfinals at the National Indoor Stadium on Friday, September 12.
Japan showed impressive ball control, only committing five turnovers and ending the match with 16 assists. The team's opponents had 15 turnovers that turned into nine points for Japan, who out rebounded the Dutch team 42-25.
"All the Japanese women players did a fantastic job and their conditions are very good," said coach Yoshiaki Iwasa after the match. "Especially Mari Amimoto, our team's key player, plays a very good role leading the team to win."
The Netherlands' top scorer was Cher Korver, who had 14 points in 40 minutes on the floor. Inge Huitzing grabbed 11 rebounds and scored eight points.
The Netherlands (1-2) will meet China (1-2) in a must-win last group B match at the USTB Gymnasium on Thursday, September 11.
(BOCOG September 10, 2008)