Tomas Satoransky (Top) of Czech Republic goes up to the basket during the group E match between Japan and Czech Republic at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Shanghai, east China, on Sept. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)
SHANGHAI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic defeated Japan 89-76 here on Tuesday to record their first victory in Group E at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
After losing 88-67 to the USA in their first game two days ago, the Czechs bounced back against Japan, with Blake Schilb and Jaromir Bohacik each scoring 22 points.
Japan seemed to have recovered from their opening defeat 86-67 against Turkey on Sunday, but it was the Czechs who held the lead for most of the opening quarter, before Japan managed to level things up at 18-18.
Three three-pointers from Schilb and two from Bohacik helped give the Czechs a 45-40 lead before the interval.
Three minutes into the third quarter, the Czech side raced into a ten-point lead and never looked back, remaining ahead by double digits until the end.
Schilb and Bohacik top-scored for the Czech Republic, who will need to beat Turkey in their next game to reach the round of 16.
"We knew it's an important game, we wanted to bounce back for a first victory. We shared and moved the ball quickly, and hope to continue to win," said Schilb.
For Japan, Rui Hachimura had a team-high 21 points, while Yuta Watanabe added 15. But after two defeats from their opening two games, Japan's hopes of progressing from Group E remain slim.
"To win a World Cup game, we have to improve on rebounds and defense. [Losing by] 89 is too much," lamented Rui.
