Spain Pulls Away in Fourth Quarter
Iyana Martin spearheaded Spain's decisive 79-59 victory over Japan, pulling away with a dominant fourth-quarter performance.
In this FIBA Women's World Cup clash, Spain held a slim three-point lead at halftime, 39-36, and extended that advantage to nine points entering the final period, 57-48.
The decisive run came in the fourth quarter, where Spain outscored Japan 22-11 to seal the win. Spain shot 40% from the field compared to Japan's 35%, and while Japan's bench contributed 28 points, Spain's 19 assists created crucial scoring opportunities. Martin was the primary catalyst with 20 points, and Awa Fam recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, though Japan's Kokoro Tanaka scored 15 points and Yuki Miyazawa grabbed 8 rebounds off the bench.
This commanding finish serves as a significant statement from Spain in the global tournament.