The South Korean women's basketball national team suffered a second consecutive defeat to host Japan in their two-match away friendly series, losing back-to-back games.

South Korea, led by head coach Park Su-ho, lost 77-78 by a single point in the friendly match against Japan held at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, today (August 14).

The women's basketball national team played the friendly matches against Asian powerhouse Japan in preparation for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games next month.

With core center Park Ji-su (KB) rehabilitating after ankle surgery and Park Ji-hyun (Los Angeles Sparks) playing in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) unable to join, South Korea wrapped up its schedule with two straight losses, following yesterday's 59-77 defeat and today's last-minute comeback loss.

South Korean women's basketball has been on a losing streak in national team matchups against Japan since the semifinals of the Incheon Asian Games in September 2014.

Early in the game, South Korea took the initiative by displaying strong defensive concentration to block Japan's attacks while finding success with perimeter shots.

With Lee Hae-ran (Samsung Life Insurance) leading the scoring, Heo Ye-eun (KB) hit a three-pointer with 4 minutes and 20 seconds remaining to make it 13-5, and Kang Lee-seul (Woori Bank) added a perimeter shot with 2 minutes left to extend the lead to 18-7.

Choi I-sam (BNK) also sank a three-pointer toward the end of the quarter, allowing South Korea to finish the first quarter ahead 22-9.

In the second quarter, Japan gained momentum in rebounding and began mounting a chase.

As Japan narrowed the gap to around 10 points and South Korea pulled away again, Japan closed in to 26-31 with 5 minutes left in the second quarter thanks to a three-pointer by Minami Yabu.

However, South Korea caught its breath as Lee Hae-ran and Choi I-sam scored consecutive baskets, finishing the first half ahead 45-35.

Entering the third quarter, South Korea's momentum slowed down due to injuries and foul trouble.

With about 5 minutes remaining, Heo Ye-eun injured her leg during a defensive play and went to the bench, and toward the end, center Jin An (Hana Bank) fouled out with her fifth foul as the gap narrowed further to 61-54.

Looking visibly fatigued from the start of the fourth quarter—missing easy layups—South Korea failed to control Japan's high-accuracy offense and was continuously chased down.

Reaching the team foul limit at a somewhat early point with 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter also worked against them.

Japan closed the gap to 61-65 with 6 minutes and 45 seconds left when Anri Hoshi hit a three-pointer, and then took a 68-67 lead with 4 minutes and 58 seconds remaining, powered by a three-point play from Kokoro Tanaka.

South Korea put out the immediate fire with a three-pointer from Kang Lee-seul and maintained a precarious lead, but allowed Tanaka another three-pointer with 13.6 seconds left in regulation, pulling within a whisker at 76-75.

Hong Yu-sun (Shinhan Bank) made a free throw with 9.6 seconds remaining to make it 77-75, but they conceded another perimeter shot to Tanaka with 0.2 seconds left, leaving them to rue a heartbreaking comeback loss.

For South Korea, Kang Lee-seul put up a strong fight with 20 points and 5 rebounds, Lee Hae-ran added 17 points and 5 rebounds, and Choi I-sam chipped in 13 points.

Japan's 2006-born point guard Tanaka led her team to victory by scoring 18 points, including two decisive perimeter shots.

(Photo provided by the Japan Basketball Association, Yonhap News)