Saki Hayashi scorched Mali from three-point range, draining 9 of 15 attempts to finish with 27 points in 23 minutes as Japan Women NT held off a late push to win 102–97 in Group A play. Hayashi's efficiency was the difference: she moved the ball once (1 assist) and did not turn it over, creating a clean offensive afternoon where her shooting alone carried the load. The 9-for-15 clip from deep, combined with 9-for-17 overall, left Mali's perimeter defence scrambling for much of the contest. She added two steals, though neither side managed to impose a grinding pace. Mali made the final minutes uncomfortable — a five-point margin in a World Cup group stage is not a cushion — but Hayashi's early output had built the foundation Japan needed. The home court advantage and her marksmanship proved decisive.