FIBA U17W - Spain oust Japan, set up title tilt with reigning champs USA

AMSTERDAM (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - Leticia Romero and Maria Arrojo combined for 48 points as Spain beat Japan 91-62 to advance to the final of the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women against the reigning champions United States.

Romero scored 13 of her 27 points in the first quarter and Arrojo’s 21 points were her first of the tournament after missing the group stage injured.

Marina Lizarazu added 13 points and Laura Quevedo chipped in 12 for the Spanish, who lost to Japan in group play.

Spain, who won the game with Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) President Jose Luis Saez in attendance, finished eighth in 2010.

Japan, who were fifth two summers ago, will face off against Canada for the bronze medal.

The Japanese were paced by Ai Yamada with 14 points and Ayane Itani with 13 points. The low post duo of Yunika Nakamura and Evelyn Mawuli were held to just 16 points and 13 rebounds combined – 11.3 points and 2.5 rebounds below their combined averages coming into the game.

Shinichiro Hayashi's team started the game nervously and Romero on fire as she scored 13 points as Spain opened a 21-7 lead. The Asian champions slowly found their way into the contest with Yamada knocking down two jumpers and buzzer-beater from just inside half-court to Japan within 26-16 after one quarter.

Arrojo showed her importance to the team early in the second quarter with six points as Spain again pushed – to 32-18. Natsumi Nagai nailed a long triple and Japan fought back to within six points 36-30 on Saori Miyazaki’s three-ball.

The Spaniards were ahead 45-36 at the break.

Japan fought hard to stay in the game, trailing 53-44 before the Spaniards went on an 11-0 run to open a 64-44 lead. Japan did not get closer than 15 points the rest of the game. And the Europeans increased the lead to as many as 29 points.

FIBA