SOUTH Korea steamrolled past host Japan, 100-84, to top its group in the basketball competitions of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.
The Koreans outplayed Akatsuki Japan in the second half to turn a contest that was close in the first two quarters into a one-sided match.
Behind the blazing guns of guard Lee Hyung Jun, the Koreans outscored the host team, 60-41, in the second half to claim their third win and top Group A at 3-0.
ASIAD SCENARIOS: Gilas can't afford to lose by this much to China
Lee finished with 25 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range, big man Jang Jae Seok added 18 and eight rebounds, and Lee Hyun Jung with 16 points and seven assists.
South Korea, which defeated Gilas Pilipinas in two friendlies in Suwon before heading to the quadrennial meet, now also has the highest point differential among the 12 teams entered in the basketball competitions at the Aichi International Arena with +87 points, keeping it on track of possibly ending as either the no. 1 or no. 2 seeded team heading to the knockout stage.
Unbeaten Group C leader China is second highest with +84PD heading to its game against Gilas Pilipinas in the final day of group play on Monday.
Japan lost for the first time in group play, but is already assured of a quarterfinals spot in its group along with South Korea.
Kotetsu Kurokawa finished with a team-high 21 points behind a 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, while naturalized player Alex Kirk had a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Akatsuki Five, who opted not to bring its A-team despite being Asiad host.
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