TOKYO — For two quarters during a game at the Rio Olympics in August, Japan made the vaunted United States women’s national basketball team appear mortal. Late in the first half of their quarterfinal game, Japan even cut the Americans’ lead to 2 points, at 48-46, on a layup by Ramu Tokashiki.
Order was later restored, as the Americans adjusted to Japan’s up-tempo offense and coasted to a 46-point victory. For the United States, the first-half challenge was a galvanizing moment, one that helped spur them toward their sixth straight gold medal.
For Japan, the loss — even one in which it surrendered 110 points — proved even more inspiring.