Japan's hopes of a FIBA Asia Challenge title ended Friday in Tehran with an 87-80 quarterfinal loss to a rampant Dar Tucker and his Jordan team.
The United States-born Tucker had a 33-point, nine-rebound, seven-assist outing against Japan, proving why he has been the tournament's most prolific player.
Japan's most consistent players at the tournament in the Iranian capital were Makoto Hiejima and Ira Brown, who scored 17 points apiece in the quarterfinal round. Brown played 39-plus minutes and grabbed 12 rebounds, a category in which he continues to lead the event.
Starting center Atsuya Ota had his best scoring night of the Asia Challenge, totaling 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the floor, but the team was a minus-19 in his almost 28 minutes of playing time, with his six turnovers and just three rebounds hurting his squad.
Japan built a seven-point lead in the second quarter, and looked like it would be able to hang with a Jordan team that had been on a four-game winning streak since losing to China in the first game of the tournament, but the Middle Eastern squad put together an 11-0 run to close the first half and take the lead at the break.
In the second half, Jordan was able to keep Japan at arms-length to hold on for the win.
Japan ended the game with just 13 turnovers but it was hurt by its opponent's ability to profit from its mistakes — Jordan scoring 21 points off turnovers, many coming on fast breaks.
On Saturday, Japan will face India in the classification round for the fifth to eighth places.