Japan Falls 65–67 to Mongolia After Late Turnover

Overview

• Japan lost a close exhibition to Mongolia by 65–67 at SAGA Arena after a late turnover allowed the deciding score.
• The team was made up mainly of younger players chosen for development ahead of the Nagoya Asian Games.
• Point guard Harpa Junior scored 15 points, including timely three-pointers, but lost possession in the final moments and apologized for the mistake.
• Coach Oketani singled out a lack of individual intensity and uncoordinated team defense as the main issues to be corrected.
• Japan will play a second friendly against Mongolia the next day as an immediate chance to address execution and defensive cohesion before the Asian Games.