B3 League Round 46 (Regular Season): Saitama beat Yokohama by three after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 46 in the B3 League took place in Saitama. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 6th ranked Excellence (27-18) to fourth ranked Broncos (30-15) 68-65 on Saturday evening. 29 personal fouls committed by Yokohama helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 9 rebounds. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) contributed with 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. point guard Yuki Ide (178-1996) replied with 17 points for Yokohama. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Saitama maintains fourth position with 30-15 record, which they share with Tokushima Gam. Yokohama at the other side keeps the sixth place with 18 games lost. Saitama is looking forward to face Yokohama (#6) at home in the next round. Yokohama will have a break next round.
B3 League top team - Blowinds (39-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed fifteenth ranked Pats Five (15-30) in Fukui 110-74. American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) scored 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Benjamin Lawson chipped in 16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side American forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) responded with 23 points and 9 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 Fukui B. maintains first position with 39-4 record. Yamaguchi at the other side dropped to the fourteenth place with 30 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa. Fukui B. will play against Yamaguchi (#15) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Earthfriends (18-27) and Scorpions (11-32), which took place in Aichi. Higher ranked Earthfriends lost to seventeenth ranked Scorpions in a road game 71-76 on Saturday. Andrew Ferguson notched 9 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds by Nick Allen did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. Earthfriends' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Toyoda maintains seventeenth position with 11-32 record. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the eleventh place with 27 games lost. They share the position with Gifu. Toyoda will meet at home higher ranked Tokyo Z (#12) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.

Other games in round 46 were not that significant. Bottom-ranked Kanazawa was beaten by Shanan Utd on the road 82-71. Veertien Mie was destroyed by Kagawa on its own court 55-92. Shinagawa unfortunately lost to Tokushima Gam. in a road game 69-83. Shanan Utd managed to beat Kanazawa at home 103-93. Tokyo Utd crushed Okayama on the opponent's court 111-69. Tachikawa was beaten by Tokyo in a home game 82-95. Kagoshima won against Gifu on the road 81-74.



Shanan Utd - Kanazawa 82-71

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Shanan Utd (23-23) beat bottom-ranked Kanazawa (6-31) in Kanagawa 82-71 on Friday. Shanan Utd forced 19 Kanazawa turnovers. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard Aiki Tanno (172-1995) supported him with 18 points. Five Shanan Utd players scored in double figures. Even 24 points and 8 rebounds by Senegalese forward Dou Gueye (206-1997, college: Louisiana) did not help to save the game for Kanazawa. American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) added 20 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shanan Utd have an impressive six-game winning streak. Newly promoted Shanan Utd maintains ninth position with 23-23 record. Kanazawa lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 31 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: R.Gustys 21+11reb+1ast, A.Tanno 18+3reb+3ast, J.Narcis 13+11reb, I.Shinpei 12+6ast, O.Antypov 10+4reb+1ast, H.Reiji 5+2reb+5ast
Kanazawa: D.Gueye 24+8reb+3ast, C.Olivier 20+8reb+1ast, H.Koki 7+1reb+3ast, I.Ayumu 6+1ast, K.Kakeru 5+3reb, K.Wataru 4+2reb

Saitama - Yokohama EX 68-65

The most exciting game of round 46 in the B3 League took place in Saitama. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 6th ranked Excellence (27-18) to fourth ranked Broncos (30-15) 68-65 on Saturday evening. 29 personal fouls committed by Yokohama helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 9 rebounds. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Yuki Ide (178-1996) replied with 17 points and Latvian center Klavs Cavars (208-1996) added 7 points and 15 rebounds in the effort for Yokohama. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Saitama maintains fourth position with 30-15 record, which they share with Tokushima Gam. Yokohama at the other side keeps the sixth place with 18 games lost. Saitama is looking forward to face Yokohama (#6) at home in the next round. Yokohama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saitama: J.Faison 21+9reb+3ast, M.Esho 19+12reb+1ast, R.Watkins 8+7reb, S.Fumiya 8, A.Hikaru 6+2reb, W.Creekmore 4+8reb+9ast
Yokohama EX: Y.Ide 17+3reb+3ast, C.Sow 9+8reb+1ast, B.Olumuyiwa 8+13reb, K.Cavars 7+15reb, T.Toshino 6+2reb+1ast, S.Taira 5+1reb+3ast

Veertien Mie - Kagawa FA 55-92

Very expected game when 16th ranked Veertien Mie (12-33) was smashed by third ranked Five Arrows (33-10) in Yokkaichi 92-55 on Saturday. Kagawa dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Veertien Mie's 18. American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) notched 21 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) supported him with 15 points and 8 assists. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Josh Martin (201-1995, college: Santa Clara) did not help to save the game for Veertien Mie. Guard Riku Sasayama (185-2001) added 13 points for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagawa maintains third position with 33-10 record having six points less than leader Fukui B. Veertien Mie lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth place with 33 games lost. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Kagawa (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: E.Ravenel 21+9reb, A.Randall 15+4reb+8ast, M.Dama 13+9reb+2ast, U.Junki 10+1reb+1ast, S.Jr Kedrick 8+4reb+2ast, A.Reita 6+1reb
Veertien Mie: J.Martin 15+14reb+2ast, S.Riku 13+1reb+1ast, J.Pierce 10+2reb+1ast, K.Ryu 5+2reb, S.Takaya 5, D.Dodd 4+4reb+1ast

Tokushima Gam. - Shinagawa 83-69

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Gambarous (30-15) won against 14th ranked Shinagawa (15-30) in Tokushima 83-69 on Saturday. Tokushima Gam. forced 19 Shinagawa turnovers. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) supported him with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Four Gambarous players scored in double figures. Even 7 points and 12 rebounds by American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Shinagawa. Canadian center Renaldo Dixon (206-1990, college: NM State) added 11 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gambarous have an impressive six-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Saitama. Loser Shinagawa keeps the fourteenth position with 30 games lost. They share it with Yamaguchi. Tokushima Gam. will again meet at home Shinagawa (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shinagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 20+13reb+1ast, J.Combs 16+9reb+5ast, K.Naito 12+2reb+1ast, W.Kouki 11+1reb+1ast, D.Joseph 10+4reb+2ast, A.Kuerban 9+4reb+2ast
Shinagawa: T.Ikumi 13+2reb+2ast, R.Dixon 11+6reb, R.Richards 9+3reb, K.Steve 8+8reb, H.Seiya 8+1reb+1ast, H.Koval 7+12reb+1ast

Shanan Utd - Kanazawa 103-93

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Kanazawa (6-31) lost to ninth ranked Shanan Utd (23-23) in Kanagawa 93-103 on Saturday. Shanan Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Point guard Shinpei Itabashi (168-1998) notched 26 points and 9 assists to lead the effort and Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) supported him with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Even a double-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists by American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Kanazawa. Senegalese forward Dou Gueye (206-1997, college: Louisiana) added 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Five Shanan Utd and four Kanazawa players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shanan Utd have an impressive six-game winning streak. Newly promoted Shanan Utd maintains ninth position with 23-23 record. Kanazawa lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 31 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: I.Shinpei 26+2reb+9ast, O.Antypov 16+5reb+3ast, R.Gustys 15+15reb+2ast, A.Tanno 15+1reb+3ast, T.Shinya 11+3reb+5ast, J.Narcis 10+10reb+1ast
Kanazawa: C.Olivier 27+10reb+6ast, K.Takuto 18+2reb+1ast, D.Gueye 15+9reb+4ast, I.Boyarkin 13+4reb+8ast, K.Kakeru 9+2reb, H.Koki 4+6reb+1ast

Okayama - Tokyo Utd 69-111

Everything went according to plan when seventh ranked United (24-19) outplayed 13th ranked Try Hoop (16-29) in Okayama 111-69 on Saturday. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Try Hoop's 30 and made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Tokyo Utd outrebounded Okayama 41-15 including a 32-11 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokyo Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Okayama's players. American swingman Michael Craig (196-1991, college: Southern Miss) notched a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and Nigerian forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum (206-1991) supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Five United players scored in double figures. Even 19 points by guard Keisuke Takabatake (183-1990) did not help to save the game for Okayama. American forward Jeffrey Parmer (203-1985, college: FAU) added 10 points for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Tokyo Utd maintains seventh position with 24-19 record. Loser Try Hoop keeps the thirteenth place with 29 games lost. Tokyo Utd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Okayama will play against Tokyo Utd (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: K.Ren 20+2reb+3ast, C.Maduabum 17+7reb+2ast, M.Dove 15+6reb+2ast, Y.Narumi 12, G.Bula 11+4reb+1ast, M.Craig 10+14reb+7ast
Okayama: K.Takabatake 19+4reb+1ast, T.Samuel 13+1ast, J.Parmer 10+3reb+2ast, U.Taito 8+4ast, M.Phillips 6+1ast, M.Yusuke 5+2reb+1ast

Tachikawa - Tokyo HT 82-95

There was a minor upset when 8th ranked Tachikawa (23-22) lost at home to tenth ranked Hachioji Trains (21-23) 95-82 on Saturday. Tokyo outrebounded Tachikawa 41-27 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokyo looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Nigerian power forward Martins Igbanu (203-1997, college: Tulsa) supported him with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Four Hachioji Trains players scored in double figures. Even 31 points and 6 rebounds by American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Tachikawa. His fellow American import power forward DeVaughn Washington (203-1989, college: Ohio, agency: Mansfield and Associates) added 13 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo maintains tenth position with 21-23 record. Tachikawa lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth place with 22 games lost. Tokyo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tachikawa will play against Tokyo (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: D.Doblas 24+13reb+7ast, M.Igbanu 19+8reb+3ast, H.Ogane 14+1reb+5ast, K.Takahashi 10+5reb+3ast, T.Edogi 9+5reb+1ast, D.Bamba 8+5reb+1ast
Tachikawa: A.Fitzgerald 31+6reb+1ast, D.Washington 13+8reb+3ast, M.Ousu 9+1reb+5ast, E.Rickman 8+10reb, M.Jouta 6+1ast, M.Sei 6+1reb

Fukui B. - Yamaguchi 110-74

B3 League top team - Blowinds (39-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed fifteenth ranked Pats Five (15-30) in Fukui 110-74. Fukui B. dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Pats Five's 42 and made 23-of-28 charity shots (82.1 percent) during the game, while Yamaguchi only scored five points from the stripe. They outrebounded Yamaguchi 48-28 including a 34-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Blowinds brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) scored 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) chipped in 16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Blowinds players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import swingman Jelan-Miguel Kendrick (201-1991, college: UNLV) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 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 Fukui B. maintains first position with 39-4 record. Yamaguchi at the other side dropped to the fourteenth place with 30 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa. Fukui B. will play against Yamaguchi (#15) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: T.Boyd III 33+6reb+1ast, B.Lawson 16+14reb, P.Ellis 15+7reb, D.Simon 13+4reb+1ast, S.Tawatari 11+1reb+1ast, F.Naoyuki 6+5ast
Yamaguchi: D.Abram 23+9reb+2ast, J.Kendrick 22+10reb+1ast, D.Uematsu 11+2reb+4ast, S.Yuuki 8+2reb+4ast, Y.Jo 4+1reb+2ast, D.Shimoyama 3

Gifu - Kagoshima 74-81

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Kagoshima (34-12) beat 11th ranked Swoops (18-27) in Gifu 81-74 on Saturday. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) notched 14 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Logan Routt (211-1997, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) supported him with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds by American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: One Motive Sports) did not help to save the game for Gifu. American-Dominican forward AJ Bramah (201-1999, college: Nevada) added 24 points and 11 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagoshima have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 34-12 record having two points less than leader Fukui B. Loser Swoops keeps the eleventh place with 27 games lost. They share the position with Tokyo Z. Kagoshima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gifu will play again against the league's second-placed Kagoshima (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 14+9reb+3ast, Y.Nakajima 12+2reb+1ast, F.Kota 11+3reb+3ast, L.Routt 8+6reb+3ast, T.Guers 8+3reb+1ast, S.Muto 8+5reb+1ast
Gifu: B.Steele 24+13reb+2ast, A.Bramah 24+11reb+3ast, I.Eitaro 8+1reb+2ast, H.Cort 7+12reb+7ast, S.Andre 4+4reb, A.Ryoya 3+1reb+2ast

Toyoda - Tokyo Z 76-71

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Earthfriends (18-27) and Scorpions (11-32), which took place in Aichi. Higher ranked Earthfriends lost to seventeenth ranked Scorpions in a road game 71-76 on Saturday. Toyoda outrebounded Tokyo Z 47-36 including 38 on the defensive glass. Australian center Andrew Ferguson (213-1998, college: CS Monterey) notched 9 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and American Daniel Laster (199-1996, college: Gardner-Webb) supported him with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Nick Allen (203-1997, college: UTSA, agency: Worldwide SM) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. His fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) added 19 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Earthfriends' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Toyoda maintains seventeenth position with 11-32 record. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the eleventh place with 27 games lost. They share the position with Gifu. Toyoda will meet at home higher ranked Tokyo Z (#12) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: D.Laster 20+5reb+1ast, E.Ross 14+7reb, D.Kokubu 10+2reb, A.Ferguson 9+16reb+1ast, H.Kaiki 8+3reb+3ast, K.Taiki 6+5reb
Tokyo Z: N.Allen 20+14reb+2ast, J.Lampkin 19+8reb+2ast, I.Keijiro 12+3ast, I.Takumi 11+2reb+1ast, S.Faye 4+3reb+1ast, T.Yoshi 2+1reb+1ast