By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rui Hachimura powered Japan to the 99-89 victory against New Zealand on Monday. The 21-year-old forward of the Washington Wizards posted a game-high 35 points, also tallied 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in the first half of the home series versus the Tall Blacks.
Nick Fazekas followed with 21 points and 7 rebounds, Yudai Baba added 12 points and Joji Takeuchi 10. On the losing side, Tai Webster put up 18 points, Isaac Fotu had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Corey Webster added 14 points.
Japan is part of Group E in the World Cup alongside Turkey, the Czech Republic and the United States. New Zealand was drawn with Brazil, Montenegro and Greece in Group F. The two national teams will meet again at Tokyo on Wednesday.