POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Josh Hawkinson
Japan - Cape Verde 80-71
Japan will play at the 2024 Olympic Games. The Asian powerhouse finished their 2023 World Cup campaign with back-to-back victories to seal their Olympics appearance. They outscored Cape Verde in Group O in Okinawa tonight. Josh Hawkinson (208-F-1995, college: WSU) came up with 29 points and 7 rebounds to lead the hosts.
Cape Verde secured a 19-17 lead at the first intermission. But Japan shifted the gear in the second frame. The home side exploded with 33 points in the period to take a 50-37 halftime advantage. The advantage grew deeper in the third term. Japan raced to a 73-55 lead at the final intermission. But Cape Verde refused to give up easily. Japan collapsed offensively in the fourth stanza as they went scoreless for more than 7 minutes allowing Cape Verde to cut the deficit to 5 points 68-73. But Josh Hawkinson finally stopped the draught with six points late in regulation sealing the historic victory for the home team. Keisei Tominaga (188-G-2001) delivered 22 points, while Yuki Kawamura (169-G-2001) added 14 points for Japan. Shane DaRosa (185-SG-1988, college: Bristol CC) and Walter Tavares (220-C-1992) answered with 11 points each for Cape Verde.
Tags : JOSH HAWKINSON, WORLD CUP BASKETBALL, USA NATIONAL TEAM
