B1 League Round 18: Ryukyu GK defeat Tochigi Brex in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the B1 League took place in Tochigi. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 5th ranked Tochigi Brex (11-7) to first ranked Ryukyu GK (15-3) 65-62 on Sunday evening. American power forward Allen Durham (198-88, college: Grace Christian) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Ryuichi Kishimoto (176-90) chipped in 9 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Tochigi Brex's coach Ryuzo Anzai rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ryukyu GK have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Tochigi Brex at the other side dropped to the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Ryukyu GK are looking forward to face Kyoto H. (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tochigi Brex will play against Akita NH (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Hiroshima. Fifth ranked Hiroshima D. (10-8) saved a 1-point victory at home edging second-best Sea Horses M. (12-6) 76-75 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sea Horses M.. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) notched 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Nick Mayo supported him with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Even a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Jarrod Uthoff (203-93, college: Iowa) did not help to save the game for Sea Horses M.. Hiroshima D. maintains fifth position with 10-8 record, which they share with Gunma CT. Sea Horses M. at the other side keeps the second place with six games lost. They share the position with Shimane SM. Hiroshima D. will play against San-en NP (#10) in Hamamatsu in the next round where they are favorite. Sea Horses M. will play at home against Nagoya DD (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Gunma between Gunma CT and Shinshu BW. Seventh ranked Gunma CT (10-8) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Shinshu BW (9-9). Gunma CT managed to escape with a 1-point win 66-65 in the game for the fifth place. The best player for the winners was Michael Parker who scored 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Anthony McHenry who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gunma CT have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hiroshima D. Shinshu BW lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Gunma CT will meet higher ranked Kawasaki BT (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shinshu BW will play against Toyama G. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Alvark Tokyo lost to Akita NH on the opponent's court 68-75. Hokkaido L. unfortunately lost to Osaka E. in a home game 80-83. Shimane SM recorded a loss to Ibaraki R. on the road 85-88. Kyoto H. was crushed by Nagoya DD on its own court 48-93. Chiba Jets beat San-en NP in a road game 87-80. Shiga L-Stars lost to Toyama G. at home 90-95. Niigata A. were outscored by Hitachi SRT on the opponent's court 72-97. Yokohama BC was rolled over Kawasaki BT in a home game 77-103.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 32 points and 8 rebounds by Patrik Auda of Yokohama BC.

Akita NH - Alvark Tokyo 75-68

There was a minor upset when one of their biggest challengers Alvark Tokyo (11-7) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Akita NH (11-7) 75-68 on Sunday. Akita NH made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American forward Jordan Glynn (200-89, college: SF Austin) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Guinea-Bissau-American center Colton Iverson (212-89, college: Colorado St., agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds. Four Akita NH players scored in double figures. Akita NH's coach Kenzo Maeda used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Spanish forward Sebastian Saiz (205-94, college: Ole Miss) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and the former international guard Shuto Ando (189-94) added 17 points and 5 assists respectively. Akita NH have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Alvark Tokyo. Akita NH will meet Tochigi Brex (#5) on the road in the next round. Alvark Tokyo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Hitachi SRT.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: S.Ando 17+1reb+5ast, S.Saiz 15+10reb, A.Kirk 11+8reb, D.Tanaka 9+2reb+4ast, R.Rossiter 9+6reb+2ast, J.Taylor 5+7reb+4ast
Akita NH: J.Glynn 19+10reb+1ast, T.Furukawa 16+3reb+1ast, C.Iverson 13+13reb+3ast, R.Yasuoka 12+2reb+1ast, A.Davis 8+1reb, S.Taguchi 5+2reb+1ast

Gunma CT - Shinshu BW 66-65

A very close game took place in Gunma between Gunma CT and Shinshu BW. Seventh ranked Gunma CT (10-8) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Shinshu BW (9-9). Gunma CT managed to escape with a 1-point win 66-65 in the game for the fifth place. The best player for the winners was naturalized American forward Michael Parker (202-81, college: Evergreen St.) who scored 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. International guard Aki Chambers (190-90, college: UC Merced) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Gunma CT players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Anthony McHenry (202-83, college: Georgia Tech) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and swingman Reo Maeda (191-97) added 15 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gunma CT have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hiroshima D. Shinshu BW lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Gunma CT will meet higher ranked Kawasaki BT (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shinshu BW will play against Toyama G. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: A.McHenry 16+11reb+6ast, M.Reo 15+3reb+2ast, O.Yuta 13+3reb+3ast, T.Nishiyama 9+3reb, W.Marshall 6+2reb+1ast, K.Mitsui 3+2reb
Gunma CT: A.Chambers 13+7reb+2ast, M.Parker 13+8reb+4ast, J.Keenan 11+3reb+2ast, K.Barone 10+10reb+2ast, K.Nomoto 8+6reb, K.Kohei 3+1reb+2ast

Hiroshima D. - Sea Horses M. 76-75

Important game to mention about took place in Hiroshima. Fifth ranked Hiroshima D. (10-8) saved a 1-point victory at home edging second-best Sea Horses M. (12-6) 76-75 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sea Horses M.. Hiroshima D. players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) notched 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and American forward Nick Mayo (206-97, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) supported him with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Four Hiroshima D. players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Jarrod Uthoff (203-93, college: Iowa) did not help to save the game for Sea Horses M.. His fellow American import power forward Davante Gardner (203-91, college: Marquette) added 15 points and 7 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Hiroshima D. maintains fifth position with 10-8 record, which they share with Gunma CT. Sea Horses M. at the other side keeps the second place with six games lost. They share the position with Shimane SM. Hiroshima D. will play against San-en NP (#10) in Hamamatsu in the next round where they are favorite. Sea Horses M. will play at home against Nagoya DD (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sea Horses M.: J.Uthoff 17+14reb+3ast, D.Gardner 15+7reb+2ast, R.Sumino 13+1reb+2ast, Y.Nishida 12+1ast, A.Schafer 9+4reb+1ast, K.Collinsworth 7+4reb+7ast
Hiroshima D.: G.Echenique 18+8reb+2ast, T.Ryo 17+2reb+4ast, N.Mayo 13+10reb+3ast, N.Tsuji 12+4reb+3ast, Y.Aoki 7+1ast, T.Kennedy 4+3reb+2ast

Hokkaido L. - Osaka E. 80-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Osaka E.'s (8-10) road victory over 8th ranked Hokkaido L. (8-10) 83-80 on Sunday. Osaka E. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Ira Brown (193-82, college: Gonzaga) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard DJ Newbill (193-92, college: Penn St.) chipped in 26 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Osaka E. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Shawn Long (208-93, college: La-Lafayette, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and his fellow American import DeMon Brooks (202-92, college: Davidson) added 20 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Hokkaido L.'s coach Kenichi Sako tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Osaka E. maintains seventh position with 8-10 record, which they share with defeated Hokkaido L. Osaka E. will meet at home Shiga L-Stars (#9) in the next round. Hokkaido L. will play against Ibaraki R. in Mito and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: S.Long 30+10reb+2ast, D.Brooks 20+10reb+2ast, Y.Hayato 7+4reb+1ast, K.Daichi 7+2reb+5ast, S.Terazono 5+1reb+2ast, N.Tsukasa 5
Osaka E.: D.Newbill 26+7reb+8ast, I.Brown 22+15reb+5ast, K.Hunt 15+3reb, N.Hiromu 12+4reb+4ast, K.Makoto 8+3reb+1ast, E.Kojima 0+3reb+1ast

Ibaraki R. - Shimane SM 88-85

There was an upset in Mito where higher ranked Shimane SM (12-6) was edged by tenth ranked Ibaraki R. (3-15) 88-85 on Sunday. Ibaraki R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Atsunobu Hirao (178-89) who scored 24 points and 9 assists. Canadian-Italian power forward Marc Trasolini (206-90, college: Santa Clara) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. Ibaraki R.'s coach Richard Glesmann used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Reid Travis (203-95, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds and Australian Nick Kay (206-92, college: MSU Denver) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists respectively. Four Ibaraki R. and five Shimane SM players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Ibaraki R. maintains tenth position with 3-15 record, which they share with San-en NP. Loser Shimane SM dropped to the second place with six games lost. They share the position with Sea Horses M.. Ibaraki R. will meet at home higher ranked Hokkaido L. (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shimane SM will play against Niigata A. (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shimane SM: R.Travis 18+7reb+1ast, N.Kay 14+5reb+7ast, P.Buford 14+6reb+3ast, S.Ando 13+3reb+6ast, R.Abe 12+2reb+3ast, N.Williams 7+5reb
Ibaraki R.: A.Hirao 24+3reb+9ast, M.Trasolini 18+8reb+3ast, E.Jacobsen 17+4reb+3ast, K.Fukuzawa 16+2reb+2ast, A.Tajima 6+2reb+3ast, T.Keita 5+2reb+1ast

Kyoto H. - Nagoya DD 48-93

Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Nagoya DD (11-7) outscored on the road 11th ranked Kyoto H. (2-16) 93-48 on Sunday. Nagoya DD dominated down low during the game scoring 40 of its points in the paint compared to Kyoto H.'s 20. Nagoya DD forced 19 Kyoto H. turnovers and outrebounded them 42-21 including a 13-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 58.3 percentage. Nagoya DD looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Coty Clarke (201-92, college: Arkansas) who scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Power forward Scott Eatherton (206-91, college: Northeastern, agency: BeoBasket) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was forward Jerome Tillman (201-87, college: Ohio, agency: SDJ Sports) who recorded 16 points and 6 rebounds and forward Justin Harper (208-89, college: Richmond) added 11 points respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nagoya DD maintains fourth position with 11-7 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Kyoto H. lost fifteenth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Niigata A.. Nagoya DD will meet league's second-placed Sea Horses M. in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Kyoto H. will play against the league's leader Ryukyu GK (#1) in Okinawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: J.Tillman 16+6reb, J.Harper 11+3reb+3ast, H.Kazuki 11+5reb, T.Suzuki 3+1reb+6ast, S.Utsumi 3+1reb+2ast, Y.Nagayoshi 2+2reb+2ast
Nagoya DD: P.Bobby Ray 20+2reb+4ast, C.Clarke 17+7reb+3ast, S.Eatherton 14+11reb+1ast, Y.Suda 9+3reb+1ast, T.Harimoto 7+4reb+3ast, T.Nakahigashi 6+4reb+1ast

San-en NP - Chiba Jets 80-87

There was no surprise in Hamamatsu where 10th ranked San-en NP (3-15) was defeated by first ranked Chiba Jets (14-4) 87-80 on Sunday. Chiba Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-93) who scored 26 points and 9 assists. American power forward Josh Duncan (203-86) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Robert Carter (206-94, college: Maryland) who recorded 28 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import forward Justin Knox (206-89, college: UNC) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Four San-en NP players scored in double figures. San-en NP's coach Branislav Vicentic tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Chiba Jets have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-4 record, which they share with Kawasaki BT and Hitachi SRT. San-en NP lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Ibaraki R.. Chiba Jets will meet at home Yokohama BC (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. San-en NP will play against Hiroshima D. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: R.Carter 28+9reb+6ast, J.Knox 15+5reb+2ast, F.Ravena 12+1reb+2ast, K.Tsuya 10+2reb+1ast, T.Shota 6+3ast, M.Yoshiyuki 5+3reb+4ast
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 26+9ast, J.Mooney 14+12reb+3ast, J.Duncan 12+14reb+3ast, A.Raita 9+1ast, T.Sato 6+2ast, R.Faraz 5+1reb

Shiga L-Stars - Toyama G. 90-95

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when ninth ranked Toyama G. (6-12) won against on the road 8th ranked Shiga L-Stars (6-12) 95-90 on Sunday. Toyama G. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was Filipino guard Dwight Ramos (193-98, college: CPP) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Zimbabwean-American forward Julian Mavunga (203-90, college: Miami, OH, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was British Ovie Soko (201-91, college: Duquesne) who recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and American forward Novar Gadson (201-89, college: Rider) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively. Five Toyama G. and four Shiga L-Stars players scored in double figures. Shiga L-Stars' coach Luis Guil tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Toyama G. moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Shiga L-Stars and Yokohama BC. Shiga L-Stars lost tenth consecutive game. Toyama G. will meet at home higher ranked Shinshu BW (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shiga L-Stars will play against Osaka E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shiga L-Stars: O.Soko 20+8reb+7ast, M.Naoto 18+2reb, N.Gadson 17+2reb+4ast, K.Isaac Ravena 13+1reb+5ast, T.Kashiwagura 10+2reb+2ast, S.O'Mara 9+10reb+2ast
Toyama G.: K.Matsui 19+1reb+1ast, R.Ono 17+5reb+1ast, B.Johnson 16+7reb, D.Ramos 14+8reb+10ast, J.Mavunga 12+9reb+5ast, K.Toshiki 12+3reb+2ast

Hitachi SRT - Niigata A. 97-72

Very expected game in Tokyo where 11th ranked Niigata A. (2-16) was crushed by second ranked Hitachi SRT (14-4) 97-72 on Sunday. Hitachi SRT shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 63.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Josh Harrellson (208-89, college: Kentucky) who scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Forward You Nishino (198-98) chipped in 15 points. Five Hitachi SRT players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-93, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward Jeff Ayres (206-87, college: Arizona St.) added 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hitachi SRT have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Kawasaki BT and Chiba Jets. Niigata A. lost fifteenth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Kyoto H.. Hitachi SRT's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Alvark Tokyo.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: R.Allen 19+7reb+5ast, J.Ayres 14+10reb+7ast, T.Nephawe 14+5reb, H.Tomoki 7+2reb+1ast, K.Kimura 7+2reb+1ast, N.Yuto 3+1ast
Hitachi SRT: J.Harrellson 16+7reb+3ast, N.You 15+4reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 15+1reb+1ast, M.Kaito 12+1reb+4ast, K.Ishii 11+1reb+1ast, L.Vendrame 7+2reb+3ast

Tochigi Brex - Ryukyu GK 62-65

The most exciting game of round 18 in the B1 League took place in Tochigi. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 5th ranked Tochigi Brex (11-7) to first ranked Ryukyu GK (15-3) 65-62 on Sunday evening. American power forward Allen Durham (198-88, college: Grace Christian) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Ryuichi Kishimoto (176-90) chipped in 9 points during the contest. Durham is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) with 16 points and 6 rebounds and the former international swingman Makoto Hiejima (190-90) scored 17 points. Tochigi Brex's coach Ryuzo Anzai rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ryukyu GK have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Tochigi Brex at the other side dropped to the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Ryukyu GK are looking forward to face Kyoto H. (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tochigi Brex will play against Akita NH (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: M.Hiejima 17+3reb, J.Scott 16+6reb+1ast, S.Ikaruga 7+4reb+2ast, I.Fotu 6+3reb, Y.Endo 4+1reb+2ast, C.Fieler 4+9reb+1ast
Ryukyu GK: A.Durham 19+5reb+1ast, D.Evans 9+5reb, R.Kishimoto 9+4reb+2ast, K.Flippin 7+2reb+2ast, N.Namizato 6+2reb+4ast, J.Cooley 5+8reb

Yokohama BC - Kawasaki BT 77-103

Very predictable result when third ranked Kawasaki BT (14-4) smashed on the road 9th ranked Yokohama BC (6-12) 103-77 on Sunday. Kawasaki BT made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by Yokohama BC's players. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Nick Fazekas (211-85, college: Nevada) who scored 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. American-Georgian Matt Janning (195-88, college: Northeastern) chipped in 18 points and 7 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Four Kawasaki BT players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Czech Patrik Auda (204-89, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 32 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Leyton Hammonds (203-94, college: OK State, agency: BeoBasket) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kawasaki BT keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Hitachi SRT and Chiba Jets. Yokohama BC lost seventh consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Toyama G. and Shiga L-Stars. Kawasaki BT will meet at home Gunma CT (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Yokohama BC will play against the league's leader Chiba Jets and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: P.Auda 32+8reb+3ast, L.Hammonds 15+5reb+1ast, R.Buckner 10+9reb+2ast, M.Morikawa 6+2ast, E.Morris 3, M.Komaki 3+1ast
Kawasaki BT: N.Fazekas 21+7reb+7ast, M.Janning 18+2reb+7ast, P.Aguilar 14+7reb+3ast, S.Maeta 11+1reb+2ast, J.Heath 11+7reb, R.Shinoyama 9+6ast



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