Despite getting a 29-point performance from Makoto Hiejima, Japan was unable to beat South Korea in its FIBA Asia Challenge tournament Group D opener, losing 80-73 in Tehran on Friday.
With a number of new faces wearing the Japanese colors in the 12-team tournament, including 193-cm U.S.-born power forward Ira Brown, orchestrating a consistent performance was always going to be a challenge for coach Kenji Hasegawa.
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