SHIGA, Japan (AP) — Hana Wakimoto shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to maintain her lead after the second round of the LPGA's Toto Japan Classic.
The Japanese player shot a 63 in the opening round and continued to set the pace with a 13-under-par total of 131 after 36 holes.
Yealimi Noh of the United States and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand were two strokes off the lead after the second round. Noh shot 65 and Jutanugarn carded a 66.
Rio Takeda of Japan was three behind after a 65.
Noh, who has been using a new putting stance over the past year, birdied her first hole of the day, the par-5 1st, and made pars on her next two holes. The 23-year-old then had four consecutive birdies.
“For me, last year, I was really struggling with my putting and I just needed something new and something completely different,” said Noh, who needed only 20 putts throughout her second round Friday.
“I never even thought of trying it but my coach and my dad suggested it to me and I tried it. It helped me get over that uneasy feeling over the ball. So, that’s how it started and now using it a year after, my stroke has gotten really solid and my speed is great with the putter so it has helped me a lot.”
Canada's Brooke Henderson shot 71 and was at 3-under, 10 strokes behind. Minjee Lee of Australia shot 75 and was 11 strokes behind Wakimoto.
The Japan tournament concludes a four-event Asian swing for the LPGA Tour that included events in China, South Korea and Malaysia.
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Hana Wakimoto of Japan reacts after making a birdie at the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA's Toto Classic at Seta Golf Course in Shiga, central Japan Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)
Hana Wakimoto of Japan plays a shot during the second round of the LPGA's Toto Classic at Seta Golf Course in Shiga, central Japan Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)
Hana Wakimoto of Japan plays a shot during the first round of the LPGA's Toto Classic at Seta Golf Course in Shiga, central Japan Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)
BERLIN (AP) — Napheesa Collier scored 19 points and the U.S. routed Hungary 108-56 to advance to the semifinals of the women's FIBA World Cup on Thursday.
The U.S. will play Spain on Saturday in the medal round. France will face host Germany in the other semifinal matchup.
The Americans have now won 34 consecutive games in the tournament dating to a loss to Russia in the 2006 World Cup semifinals. The U.S. has made every medal round since 1983 when the format changed to have medal rounds.
It was a record-breaking performance for the U.S. The 108 points was the most by any team ever in a quarterfinal. The U.S. had 31 assists, again the most in this round.
“When that ball is moving, we want to get the best possible shot,” said Kahleah Copper, who had 10 points. “We want to make sure everybody gets involved. Everyone here on this roster, we know what they’re doing on their respective (WNBA) teams. But you come here, you sacrifice a little bit of that.”
Copper said the players were always looking to turn good scoring opportunities into great ones. The Americans did just that.
The U.S. was off and running early against Hungary, jumping out to a 36-12 lead after the first quarter. The Americans were constantly pounding the ball inside and converting turnovers into easy layups. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showed their growing chemistry on the court, finishing the quarter with a nifty pick and roll just before the buzzer. Collier had 10 points in the first 10 minutes.
The offense was sizzling early on as the Americans hit 20 of their first 26 shots (77%), including five of six 3-point attempts to race to a 50-18 lead with 6 minutes left in the first half. The Americans led 59-30 at the break — the highest scoring first half in team history in a knockout game at the event according to FIBA.
The Americans got a little scare when Sonia Citron had to leave in the third quarter when she was hit in the nose by a Hungary player's hand by accident. Citron returned to start the fourth quarter.
Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists, just missing out on her second double-double of the tournament.
The U.S. was also solid on defense. They contained Hungary's top scorer Dorka Juhasz, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx. She came into the game averaging 15.3 points and 11 rebounds in the tournament. She missed her first seven shots and didn't get her first basket until 2:26 was left in the half. She finished the game with two points on 1 of 12 shooting.
Hungary came away with its best finish ever in the World Cup by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time. Hungary was fifth in the 1957 tournament but back then it was a round robin with no medal rounds.
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
Angel Reese, of the United States, left, and Paige Bueckers, react during the Women's Basketball World Cup quarterfinal match between the United States and Hungary in Berlin, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Jackie Young, of the United States, goes for a shot during the Women's Basketball World Cup quarterfinal match between the United States and Hungary in Berlin, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Hungary's Kinga Josepovits guards Angel Reese, of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup quarterfinal match between the United States and Hungary in Berlin, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Angel Reese, of the United States, gies for a shot in front pf Hungary's Panka Dul during the Women's Basketball World Cup quarterfinal match between the United States and Hungary in Berlin, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
