B1 League Round 50: Diamond Dolphins lose to Tochigi B. in the game between Top 4 teams

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 9 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Tochigi. First ranked host Tochigi B. (40-10) smashed 4th ranked Diamond Dolphins (29-22) 80-61. They outrebounded Diamond Dolphins 40-29 including 26 on the defensive glass. International forward Ryan Rossiter (204-89, college: Siena) scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 10 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. American forward Jeff Ayres (206-87, college: Arizona St.) responded with 23 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tochigi B. have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 40-10 record. Diamond Dolphins at the other side keep the fourth place with 22 games lost. Tochigi B. are looking forward to face Hokkaido L. (#8) in Saporro in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Diamond Dolphins will play at home against Osaka E. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
B1 League top team - Ryukyu GK (36-12) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifth ranked Hitachi Sunrockers (32-18) in Tokyo 101-87. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Hitachi Sunrockers. American power forward Jack Cooley (206-91, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) to lead the effort and Naoki Tashiro supported him with 13 points and 7 assists. Even 20 points by American Ryan Kelly (211-91, college: Duke) did not help to save the game for Hitachi Sunrockers. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ryukyu GK maintains first position with 36-12 record. Hitachi Sunrockers at the other side keep the fifth place with 18 games lost. Ryukyu GK will play against league's second-placed Aishin Sea Horses in Kariya in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hitachi Sunrockers will play on the road against Toyama G. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Kyoto was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Shiga L-Stars (17-32) played at the court of eighth ranked Kyoto H. (16-33). Kyoto H. defeated Shiga L-Stars 72-57 on Sunday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was David Simon who scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Jonathan Octeus produced 20 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kyoto H. maintains eighth position with 16-33 record. Loser Shiga L-Stars keep the seventh place with 32 games lost. Kyoto H. will meet Dragonflies (#10) in the next round. Shiga L-Stars will play against San-en NeoPhoenix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Sixth ranked Shinshu BW (18-29) crushed at home 8th ranked Hokkaido L. (14-34) by 34 points 91-57, which is the biggest margin this round. Jae-Min Yang orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Shinshu BW maintains sixth position with 18-29 record. Hokkaido L. at the other side keeps the eighth place with 34 games lost. Shinshu BW's next round opponent will be higher ranked Shimane Magic (#5) at home and it may be quite challenging game. Hokkaido L. will play against the league's leader Tochigi B. and hope to win that game.

In the last game of round 50 Kawasaki BT won against San-en NP on the opponent's court 87-77.

Kyoto H. - Shiga L-Stars 72-57

The game in Kyoto was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Shiga L-Stars (17-32) played at the court of eighth ranked Kyoto H. (16-33). Kyoto H. defeated Shiga L-Stars 72-57 on Sunday. Kyoto H. dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Shiga L-Stars' 22. Kyoto H. had a 33-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was center David Simon (208-82, college: PFW) who scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Justin Harper (208-89, college: Richmond) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Jonathan Octeus (193-91, college: Purdue) produced 20 points and 7 rebounds and forward Jordan Hamilton (201-90, college: Texas) added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kyoto H. maintains eighth position with 16-33 record. Loser Shiga L-Stars keep the seventh place with 32 games lost. Kyoto H. will meet Dragonflies (#10) in the next round. Shiga L-Stars will play against San-en NeoPhoenix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: D.Simon 17+9reb+2ast, J.Harper 15+10reb+1ast, R.Rice 14+2reb+2ast, K.Aita 8+2reb+4ast, T.Ryo 6+6reb+2ast, H.Kazuki 5+7reb+1ast
Shiga L-Stars: J.Octeus 20+7reb+3ast, J.Hamilton 10+7reb+5ast, A.Brandt 6+8reb+1ast, K.Hareyama 6+3reb, M.Karimata 6+2ast, I.Tomonori 4+5reb

San-en NP - Kawasaki BT 77-87

Very expected game in Hamamatsu where 9th ranked San-en NeoPhoenix (11-40) was defeated by second ranked Toshiba Thunders (36-14) 87-77. Toshiba Thunders outrebounded San-en NeoPhoenix 46-25 including a 33-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. The former international power forward Nick Fazekas (211-85, college: Nevada) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (203-89) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American-Jamaican power forward Kyle Hunt (208-89, college: USAO, agency: BIG) replied with 21 points and 8 rebounds and Serbian power forward Stevan Jelovac (208-89, agency: BeoBasket) added 13 points and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) in the effort for San-en NeoPhoenix. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Toshiba Thunders have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 36-14 record having just two point less than leader Tochigi B. San-en NeoPhoenix lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 40 games lost. Toshiba Thunders' next round opponent will be Akita Northern Happinets (#7) at home where they are favorite. San-en NeoPhoenix will play against Shiga L-Stars and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: N.Fazekas 32+18reb+6ast, P.Aguilar 12+11reb+3ast, N.Tsuji 10+2reb+5ast, Y.Fujii 9+2reb+8ast, J.Heath 8+10reb, R.Shinoyama 6+3ast
San-en NP: K.Hunt 21+8reb, S.Jelovac 13+3reb+4ast, H.Kawashima 10+2reb, T.Suzuki 8+2reb+9ast, A.Ota 7+3reb+1ast, F.Ravena 6+4reb+3ast

Tochigi B. - Nagoya DD 80-61

The game between Top Four teams took place in Tochigi. First ranked host Tochigi B. (40-10) smashed 4th ranked Diamond Dolphins (29-22) 80-61. They outrebounded Diamond Dolphins 40-29 including 26 on the defensive glass. International forward Ryan Rossiter (204-89, college: Siena) scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 10 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Four Tochigi B. players scored in double figures. American forward Jeff Ayres (206-87, college: Arizona St.) responded with 23 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and his fellow American import forward Justin Burrell (207-88, college: St.John's) scored 5 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tochigi B. have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 40-10 record. Diamond Dolphins at the other side keep the fourth place with 22 games lost. Tochigi B. are looking forward to face Hokkaido L. (#8) in Saporro in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Diamond Dolphins will play at home against Osaka E. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tochigi B.: L.Peak 17+3reb+1ast, K.Toews 11+3reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 11+8reb+4ast, J.Scott 10+12reb, M.Hiejima 8+2reb, H.Watanabe 7+1ast
Nagoya DD: J.Ayres 23+6reb, T.Nakahigashi 8+1reb+1ast, Y.Karino 6+1reb, S.Ando 5+1reb+1ast, L.Lyons 5+8reb, J.Burrell 5+10reb+2ast

Hitachi SRT - Ryukyu GK 87-101

B1 League top team - Ryukyu GK (36-12) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifth ranked Hitachi Sunrockers (32-18) in Tokyo 101-87. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Hitachi Sunrockers. Ryukyu GK made 30-of-35 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Hitachi Sunrockers 29-16 including 20 on the defensive glass. Ryukyu GK players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Hitachi Sunrockers were plagued by 32 personal fouls down the stretch. American power forward Jack Cooley (206-91, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) to lead the effort and forward Naoki Tashiro (188-93) supported him with 13 points and 7 assists. Even 20 points by American Ryan Kelly (211-91, college: Duke) did not help to save the game for Hitachi Sunrockers. Guard Kosuke Ishii (182-87) added 14 points for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ryukyu GK maintains first position with 36-12 record. Hitachi Sunrockers at the other side keep the fifth place with 18 games lost. Ryukyu GK will play against league's second-placed Aishin Sea Horses in Kariya in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hitachi Sunrockers will play on the road against Toyama G. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: J.Cooley 24+12reb+1ast, D.Evans 15+2reb+2ast, K.Tillie 14+3reb+3ast, N.Tashiro 13+4reb+7ast, R.Kishimoto 10+3reb+5ast, S.Funyu 8+1reb+1ast
Hitachi SRT: R.Kelly 20+4reb+2ast, K.Ishii 14+1reb+1ast, J.McAdoo 12+1reb+1ast, R.Watanabe 10+2reb+1ast, C.Jackson 10+2reb+1ast, L.Vendrame 6+2reb+5ast

Shinshu BW - Hokkaido L. 91-57

Sixth ranked Shinshu BW (18-29) crushed at home 8th ranked Hokkaido L. (14-34) by 34 points 91-57, which is the biggest margin this round. Shinshu BW made 20-of-24 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Shinshu BW had a 35-24 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. South Korean Jae-Min Yang (201-99, college: Neosho Co.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. American Anthony McHenry (202-83, college: Georgia Tech) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Five Shinshu BW players scored in double figures. American forward Nick Mayo (206-97, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) replied with 15 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Jawad Williams (204-83, college: UNC) added 13 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Hokkaido L.The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Shinshu BW maintains sixth position with 18-29 record. Hokkaido L. at the other side keeps the eighth place with 34 games lost. Shinshu BW's next round opponent will be higher ranked Shimane Magic (#5) at home and it may be quite challenging game. Hokkaido L. will play against the league's leader Tochigi B. and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: J.Yang 19+7reb+3ast, J.Hawkinson 14+6reb+4ast, T.Nishiyama 12+1reb+2ast, R.Ono 11+2reb+1ast, A.McHenry 10+11reb+6ast, E.Yamamoto 9+1reb
Hokkaido L.: N.Mayo 15+5reb+1ast, J.Williams 13+6reb+1ast, A.Tajima 9+3reb+5ast, T.Nakano 9+1reb+1ast, J.Taylor 7+2reb+1ast, P.Faye 4



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