BERLIN (AP) — Reka Lelik scored 23 points as Hungary beat Japan 84-63 at the women’s FIBA World Cup on Tuesday to set up a quarterfinal against the United States.
Virág Takács-Kiss added 17 points for Hungary, which will face the four-time defending champion in the late quarterfinal slot Thursday.
The game was overshadowed by a serious injury to Japan shooting guard Saki Hayashi, who went off with what looked a broken right arm after an awkward fall shortly before halftime.
Hosts in action later
Host Germany faces South Korea later for a quarterfinal spot against Belgium.
The home team, buoyed by loud support at the Berlin Arena, has gradually improved since losing its first group game by 30 points to Spain. Germany rebounded with a 74-58 win over Japan and followed with a comfortable 83-58 win over Mali.
Germany’s Frieda Bühner scored 21 points against Mali after 19 in the previous win and was expected to duel with Korea’s leading player Park Ji-hyun.
All the quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday. Spain and France await the winners of Wednesday’s playoffs between Italy-Australia and China-Puerto Rico, respectively.
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