Korea defeats Japan to top group in men's basketball

NAGOYA, Japan — Korea emerged victorious over Japan with a score of 100-83, securing the top spot in the men's basketball tournament group at the Asian Games in central Japan on Sunday. Guard Lee Jung-hyun led the Korean team's attack with 25 points, while backup center Jang Jae-seok contributed 18 points and eight rebounds in their final Group A game at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya.

Lee achieved a remarkable 5-of-8 shooting from the field and facilitated seven assists throughout the match. Both Korea and Japan had already qualified for the quarterfinals, winning two games each against Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. They were competing for the top seed in Group A. The tournament features three groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group, as well as the two best third-place teams, advancing to the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Wednesday at the same Nagoya venue, followed by the semifinals on Friday. The bronze medal match and the final are set for the following Sunday, the day after the opening ceremony. Korea's starting center, Lee Seoung-hyun, committed two fouls during the early minutes of the game while guarding the 211-centimeter center.