Follow Keisei Tominaga in Tokyo

July 27- Tominaga Nearly Shoots Japan into Semifinals
Keisei Tominaga enjoyed a memorable final day of competition at the Tokyo Olympics, helping Japan nearly reach the semifinals of the 3x3 basketball tournament.  Japan, which needed a win and some help to even reach the quarterfinals, knocked off China, 21-16, in the final round of pool play before nearly knocking off Latvia before falling 21-18.

In the win over China, Tominaga hit 6-of-7 shots from the field, including 2-of-3 from long range, and had two rebounds in posting a +10 when he was on the court for Japan. In all, Japan shot 57 percent from the field, including 5-of-11 from 2-point range. Tominaga had three early points, as Japan took a 5-3 lead, but China used a 7-3 spurt of its own to build a 10-8 lead with 5:55 left. Needing a win to advance, Japan scored the next four points to regain the lead. China pulled within two on a pair of occasions, the last being 18-16 before Tominaga hit a driving basket to push the lead to three before grabbing the rebound and hit a game-winning two-pointer to end the game and send Japan to the quarterfinals.

Against Latvia, Tominaga blistered the nets for nine points, including 3-of-6 from 2-point range, as Japan shot 66 percent, but could not slow down a Latvia team that shot 71 percent. Japan trailed 11-4 just 3:23 into the game, but Tominaga keyed the comeback with a trio of 3-pointers and an assist in a 9-3 spurt that pulled Japan within 14-12. Japan stayed with striking distance and cut the lead to one on four occasions, the last at 19-18 as the Husker found Ira Brown for a basket. Trailing 20-18, Japan had one last shot to tie the score as Tominaga's 2-pointer missed before Latvia closed out the game at the foul line on the next possession and advanced to the semifinals.

The youngest player in the 3x3 tournament, Tominaga finished his Olympics ranking fourth in the tournament in scoring at 6.9 points per game through the quarterfinals. Heading into the semifinals, he ranks in the top-10 of the field in both one-point
shooting (74 percent, second) and 2-point percentage (36 percent, seventh)
 

July 26 - Japan Falls to both Serbia and ROC
Japan's bid to advance to the medal round became much more difficult overnight, as the hosts dropped a pair of games to Serbia (21-11) and the Russian Olympic Committee (19-16) at the Aomi Urban Sports Park.

With a 1-5 record heading into Tuesday's final pool play matchup with China, Japan is currently in eighth place as only the top six teams advance to the medal round which begins Tuesday evening.  Japan, China (2-4) and Poland (2-4) head into the final day fighting for the sixth and final spot.

Keisei Tominaga was held in check against unbeaten Serbia, as he had one points on just 1-of-4 shooting. As a team, Japan shot just 40 percent, while Serbia blistered the nets at 65 percent, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Serbia took control early, scoring the first five points and jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first four minutes. Japan fought back and got to within 15-10 with 3:15 left, but Serbia closed out the contest with a 6-1 spurt to remain in first place in the group.

Against the ROC, Tominaga finished with six points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 2-point range, but the ROC pulled away down the stretch. Japan trailed 5-2 before the hosts used a 4-1 run to pull even on a Tominaga drive with 6:44 remaining. The ROC pushed the margin back to 13-8, but Japan had one last run, as the hosted used a 6-1 spurt to pull within 15-14 on a Tominaga 2-pointer with 2:11 left. Unfortunately, they would get no closer, as the ROC scored four straight before Tominaga's second 2-pointer provided the final margin.

Japan will play China in its last matchup in pool play Tuesday morning at 1:05 a.m.



July 25 - Tominaga's Strong Efforts Can't Lift Japan to Victory
Despite a solid day from incoming sophomore Keisei Tominaga, Japan fell to 1-3 in pool play with a pair of close losses to the Netherlands (21-20) and Latvia (21-18) on Sunday

Tominaga finished with a game-high 10 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including four two-point shots. He got Japan off to a quick start, scoring six early points, including a pair of two-pointers, to give Japan a 9-6 lead with 5:51 left. Japan trailed 11-9, but Tominaga keyed a 7-1 spurt with a pair of two-point baskets, the last giving the hosts a 16-12 advantage with 2:53 left. The Netherlands roared back with a 5-1 run of its own to knot the score at 17-all. Japan fought back and led by one point on two occasions, the last being at 19-18, but could not hold on as the Netherlands scored the last three points for the win.

In the loss to Latvia, he continued his strong play with a game-high nine points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 2-point range. Japan trailed 5-2 before Tominaga hit consecutive 2-pointers to tie the score at six before another Japan 2-pointer made it 8-6. Latvia scored four straight points to take a 10-8 lead with 7:38 remaining before a Tominaga free throw ended the run. Japan fought back and built a 14-12 lead, but another 4-0 Latvia run made it 16-14 with 4:13 left. Japan eventually tied it again at 16 with 3:43 left before two straight Latvia baskets pushed its lead back to two. Japan got to within one on two occasions, the last being another Tominaga basket before a two-pointer from Edgars Krumins gave Latvia the win.

Tominaga ranks third among all players in scoring at 8.0 ppg through Sunday's contests.  Japan takes on Serbia Sunday evening at 10 p.m. (central).



July 24 - Tominaga Lifts Japan to Victory in 3x3 Basketball
Keisei Tominaga's opening day of Olympic competition included some heroics for the home nation, as Japan went 1-1 during the first day of 3x3 competition. Japan (1-1) rebounded from a 20-19 overtime loss to Poland with an 18-16 win over Belgium Saturday night.

Against Belgium, Japan trailed 13-7 with less than three minutes remaining before rallying with an 9-3 run to send the game into overtime. Tominaga, wo had six points and five rebounds, had three of his points in the comeback, including the game-tying base with 10 seconds remaining. In the extra session, he scored both of Japan's point, including the game winner on a driving basket to give Japan its first-ever win in the event.

Earlier in the day, Japan overcame a 16-9 deficit in the final four minutes before falling to Poland. Tominaga's two-point basket started the late-game charge. Trailing 18-12, Japan score the final six point points of regulation, including two baskets and an assist by the Husker signee to send the game into overtime. Japan eventually took a 19-18 lead on a basketball from Tomoya Ochiai for its first lead since a 6-5 advantage, but Przemyslaw Zamojski's 3-pointer gave Poland the win. On the game, Tominaga tied for team-high honors with seven points and added a three rebounds.

Earlier in the day, Japan overcame a 16-9 deficit in the final four minutes before falling to Poland. Tominaga's two-point basket started the late-game charge. Trailing 18-12, Japan score the final six point points of regulation, including two baskets and an assist by the Husker signee to send the game into overtime. Japan eventually took a 19-18 lead on a basketball from Tomoya Ochiai for its first lead since a 6-5 advantage, but Przemyslaw Zamojski's 3-pointer gave Poland the win. On the game, Tominaga tied for team-high honors with seven points and added three rebounds.

Japan continues pool play with three games on Sunday (central time). Japan will take on the Netherlands at 5:05 a.m., Latvia at 8:25 a.m. and Serbia at 10 p.m.