Japan will face Team USA in women's Olympic basketball final

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Japan defeated France 87-71 in women's basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday.

Rui Machida led her team to victory with her 18 assists, setting a record for most assists made in a single game in women's basketball.

Machida also contributed with nine points and three rebounds, while her teammate Himawari Akaho contributed with 17 points, two assists, and seven rebounds.

France's Sandrine Gruda scored 18 points, two assists, and three rebounds were not enough for victory.

Team USA previously defeated Serbia 79-59 in the semifinals on Friday and now targeting their seventh consecutive gold in Olympics as they secured the top position on the podium from 1996 to 2016.

Japan will face Team USA in the final game on Aug. 8 for their first-ever medal in Olympics.

Japan Women's National Basketball Team has one silver medal in FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 1975 and five gold medals in FIBA Women's Asia Cup in 1970, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.