Josh Hawkinson (R) of Japan goes for a layup during the match between China and Japan at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 3, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

SHENYANG, July 3 (Xinhua) -- China suffered a 92-73 defeat to Japan in a FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group B match on Friday at the Liaoning Gymnasium, leaving the hosts in need of a victory over Chinese Taipei on Monday to advance to the next stage.

Hu Jinqiu led China with 15 points, while Liao Sanning and He Xining added 14 and 12, respectively.

Japan, who had lost to China 87-80 at home on February 26, was paced by Joshua Hawkinson's game-high 27 points. Yudai Baba contributed nine points, ten rebounds and five assists, while Yuta Watanabe scored 16 points.

After Hu opened the scoring with a mid-range jumper, the teams traded baskets in a tightly contested first quarter. Liao's back-to-back fast-break finishes briefly gave China the momentum, but Keisei Tominaga's buzzer-beating three-pointer handed Japan a 22-21 lead at the end of the period.

China's offense unraveled in the second quarter, as a series of unforced turnovers fueled Japan's transition attack and allowed the visitors to build a double-digit advantage. He Xining scored five straight points to keep China within striking distance, but Japan still led 50-40 at halftime.

China tried to rally after the break by feeding Hu in the paint, but Japan continued to capitalize in transition. Ryusei Sasaki hit two three-pointers, and Watanabe led the third-quarter scoring as Japan maintained a comfortable lead.

Japan remained in control in the final quarter with its up-tempo offense, while China struggled offensively and failed to secure key rebounds, as the visitors cruised to victory.

Despite having only a two-week training camp before the match, Japan head coach Dai Oketani praised his team's preparation.

"Our preparation wasn't long, but it was very productive," Oketani said. "Everybody did an incredible job. The coaches, staff and players all worked hard to get on the same page, and that was the key."

China head coach Guo Shiqiang said his young squad lacked the visitors' experience and composure. China's 12-man roster averaged 24.8 years of age, compared with 28.9 for Japan.

"Young players and a young team need time to grow, and that process inevitably includes setbacks," Guo said.

Guo attributed the defeat to poor perimeter defense, ineffective transition defense and low shooting efficiency from both the field and the free-throw line.

"I selected the players, I led the training and I coached the game, so as head coach, I take full responsibility for the loss," he said.

With the defeat, China slipped to fourth in Group B with a 2-3 record, setting up a decisive showdown against Chinese Taipei, which also stands at 2-3, on Monday.

"We need to regroup as quickly as possible. The next game is crucial," Guo said.