B1 League Round 5 of Regular Season

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in B1 League and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Osaka E. (4-1) against fifth ranked SeaHorses (3-2) 87-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Osaka E.. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sea Horses M. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Osaka E.'s 18. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sea Horses M. made 9 blocks. Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward Jake Layman (206-1994, college: Maryland) contributed with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American-Filipino guard Ray Parks (193-1993, agency: Slash Sports) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for Osaka E.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sea Horses M. moved-up to second place, which they share with 4 other teams. Osaka E. at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. They were replaced at the leadership position by Nagasaki. Osaka E. will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Sea Horses M. will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Osaka E. at home.
Undefeated Magic (4-1) recorded its first loss in Tokyo. Visitors were defeated by seventh ranked Alphas (1-4) 88-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Magic. Filipino-American center Kai Sotto (220-2002) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and Jeff Gibbs chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. American forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 31 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Alphas left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with FE Nagoya and Hokkaido L. Shimane SM at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Koshigaya A. will play against higher ranked Shimane SM (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shimane SM will have a break next round.
An interesting game was also tough home defeat of 8th ranked Kawasaki in a game in Kanagawa versus Yokohama BC (#5) 87-80. Damien Inglis nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Alize Johnson came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds for Brave Thunders in the defeat. Yokohama BC (3-3) moved-up to third place, which they share with Akita NH. Kawasaki lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 5: Saga B. beat Akita NH on the road 70-61. Chiba Jets won against Kyoto H. on its own court 92-84. Ryukyu unfortunately lost to Shiga L-Stars in a road game 81-89. Gunma CT recorded a loss to Nagasaki at home 72-78. Alvark Tokyo defeated San-en NP on the opponent's court 66-59. Winless Sendai 89ers were beaten by Tochigi Brex in a home game 72-76. Hokkaido L. won against FE Nagoya on the road 83-81. Ibaraki R. managed to outperform Nagoya DD on its own court 84-77. Yokohama BC recorded a loss to Kawasaki in Kanagawa 88-81. Sunrockers Sh. defeated Hiroshima D. at home 79-63.
The most impressive performance of 5th round was 20 points and 6 rebounds by Kerry Blackshear Jr of Hiroshima D..



Kawasaki BT - Yokohama BC 80-87

An interesting game was also tough home defeat of 8th ranked Kawasaki in a game in Kanagawa versus Yokohama BC (#5) 87-80. French power forward Damien Inglis (206-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and Filipino guard Kiefer Ravena (183-1993) accounted for 18 points. American Alize Johnson (206-1996, college: Missouri St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) added 17 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Brave Thunders in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Yokohama BC (3-3) moved-up to third place, which they share with Akita NH. Kawasaki lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: K.Ravena 18+4reb+2ast, K.King 15+4reb+2ast, M.Kotsar 12+5reb+3ast, D.Inglis 12+11reb+3ast, K.Sudo 11, T.Oba 8+3ast
Kawasaki BT: R.Allen 17+7reb+2ast, S.Killeya-Jones 13+8reb+1ast, A.Johnson 13+11reb+3ast, M.Wright 11+3reb+4ast, R.Shinoyama 9+1reb+6ast, R.Iida 8+2reb+2ast

Akita NH - Saga B. 61-70

Everything could happen in Akita at the game between two tied teams. Both third ranked Ballooners and their close opponent Happinets had identical 3-2 record. But Happinets were not able to use a home court advantage and were defeated by the opponent from Saga 70-61 on Saturday night. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) nailed 23 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and point guard Taiki Sumida (182-1999) accounted for 12 points. Four Ballooners players scored in double figures. French power forward Yannis Morin (208-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and Taiwanese forward Mohammad Gadiaga (188-1998) added 16 points respectively for Akita NH in the defeat. Happinets' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Ballooners have a solid series of four victories in a row. Saga B. (4-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with Ryukyu and Tochigi Brex. Loser Happinets keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with Yokohama BC. Saga B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Akita NH will play against Saga B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: Y.Childs 23+9reb+3ast, T.Sumida 12+3reb+1ast, R.Inoue 12+1reb, R.Garcia 10+1reb+1ast, C.Fieler 10+3reb+2ast, J.Harrellson 3+6reb+4ast
Akita NH: M.Gadiaga 16+3reb+1ast, T.Leissner 13+1reb+1ast, Y.Morin 10+9reb+7ast, K.Kumagai 7+2reb+2ast, C.Mekowulu 6+10reb, A.Oguri 3

Chiba Jets - Kyoto H. 92-84

Everything could happen in Chiba at the game between two tied teams. Both first ranked Jets and 3rd placed Kyoto H. had identical 3-1 record. This time Jets used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Kyoto 92-84 on Saturday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Chiba Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and the former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-1993) accounted for 18 points and 5 assists. Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists and the former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) added 17 points and 7 assists respectively for Kyoto H. in the defeat. Five Chiba Jets and four Kyoto H. players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chiba Jets maintains first place with 4-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Kyoto H. dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Chiba Jets will again meet at home Kyoto H. (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Kyoto H. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Chiba Jets: J.Mooney 21+14reb+4ast, Y.Togashi 18+2reb+5ast, C.Smith 16+2reb+2ast, D.Hogg 15+5reb+4ast, S.Hara 10+3reb+7ast, N.Tashiro 8+2reb
Kyoto H.: Y.Okada 17+1reb+7ast, A.Caloiaro 17+7reb+9ast, H.Kawashima 15+2reb+2ast, C.Jackson 12+8reb+2ast, S.Maeta 9+1reb+2ast, J.Heath 9+6reb+1ast

Shiga L-Stars - Ryukyu GK 89-81

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when seventh ranked Lakestars (1-5) won against 6th ranked Golden Kings (4-2) in Shiga 89-81 on Saturday. Strangely Ryukyu outrebounded Shiga L-Stars 38-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American Markeith Cummings (198-1988, college: KSU) nailed 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and Australian forward Brock Motum (208-1990, college: WSU, agency: Slash Sports) accounted for 18 points. Naturalized American center Alex Kirk (211-1991, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and American forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Ryukyu in the defeat. Four Shiga L-Stars and five Ryukyu players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Lakestars maintains seventh place with 1-5 record. Loser Golden Kings dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with Tochigi Brex and Saga B.. Shiga L-Stars will meet at home higher ranked Ryukyu (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shiga L-Stars: M.Cummings 22+5reb+3ast, B.Motum 18+2reb+1ast, D.Nomoto 10+3ast, A.Yu 10+1reb+7ast, J.Carter 10+8reb+1ast, K.Tsuneta 6+2reb+3ast
Ryukyu GK: V.Law 17+8reb+2ast, A.Kirk 17+11reb, J.Cooley 16+8reb+1ast, R.Kishimoto 12+2reb+7ast, K.Aluma 10+3reb+1ast, M.Waki 4+2reb+2ast

Gunma CT - Nagasaki 72-78

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 3rd placed Thunders (2-3) lost to fourth ranked Nagasaki (4-1) in Gunma 72-78 on Saturday. Strangely Gunma CT outrebounded Nagasaki 38-26 including 27 on the defensive glass. American Mark Smith (193-1999, college: Kansas St.) nailed 43 points (!!!) and 6 assists for the winning side and international Yudai Baba (196-1995) accounted for 9 points and 5 assists. German Johannes Thiemann (206-1994) came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds and American guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-1990, college: Miami, FL) added 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Gunma CT in the defeat. Four Gunma CT players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Nagasaki have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Gunma CT lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Ibaraki R.. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gunma CT will play again against the league's leader Nagasaki (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: M.Smith 43+3reb+6ast, Y.Baba 9+4reb+5ast, J.Brantley 9+6reb+1ast, A.Edu 6+7reb, H.Yamaguchi 4+3reb, K.Takahira 3+1reb
Gunma CT: T.McKinney-Jones 16+5reb+4ast, J.Thiemann 13+13reb, Y.Fujii 10+3reb+5ast, N.Tsuji 10+2reb, K.Tarczewski 9+9reb+2ast, A.Hachimura 6+1reb

Koshigaya A. - Shimane SM 88-81

Undefeated Magic (4-1) recorded its first loss in Tokyo. Visitors were defeated by seventh ranked Alphas (1-4) 88-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Magic. Koshigaya A. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Magic's 34. Filipino-American center Kai Sotto (220-2002) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and American forward Jeff Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. American forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 31 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Seiya Ando (181-1992) scored 14 points and 4 steals. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Alphas left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with FE Nagoya and Hokkaido L. Shimane SM at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Koshigaya A. will play against higher ranked Shimane SM (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shimane SM will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: L.Peak 24+2ast, K.Sotto 22+10reb+1ast, J.Gibbs 15+8reb+7ast, K.Hoshikawa 9, T.Soares 9+6reb, R.Hashimoto 3+2ast
Shimane SM: C.Clarke 31+6reb+2ast, S.Ando 14+1reb+3ast, S.Tsuyama 12+5ast, J.McAdoo 9+5reb, N.Kay 6+5reb+5ast, L.Evans 4+3reb+2ast

San-en NP - Alvark Tokyo 59-66

Everything went according to plan when leader Alvark Tokyo (5-0) defeated 3rd placed San-en NP (3-2) in Hamamatsu 66-59 on Saturday. The former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) nailed 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) accounted for 13 points and 13 rebounds. American forward Yante Maten (201-1996, college: Georgia) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds and American-Nigerian swingman David Nwaba (195-1993, college: Cal Poly) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for San-en NP in the defeat. San-en NP's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Alvark Tokyo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record. Loser San-en NP dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Alvark Tokyo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. San-en NP will play again against the league's leader Alvark Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: R.Rossiter 20+9reb+1ast, S.Saiz 13+13reb+2ast, L.Meindl 8+3reb+2ast, A.Gudaitis 8+3reb, K.Toews 5+3reb+5ast, T.Osakabe 5+1reb+1ast
San-en NP: Y.Maten 16+8reb+3ast, D.Nwaba 13+8reb, H.Yoshii 12+1reb+2ast, S.Oura 8+2reb+4ast, K.Tsuya 6+7reb, D.Dudzinski 4+6reb+1ast

Sea Horses M. - Osaka E. 87-70

First defeat of league's leader Osaka E. (4-1) against fifth ranked SeaHorses (3-2) 87-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Osaka E.. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sea Horses M. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Osaka E.'s 18. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sea Horses M. made 9 blocks. Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward Jake Layman (206-1994, college: Maryland) contributed with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American-Filipino guard Ray Parks (193-1993, agency: Slash Sports) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and American Ryan Luther (206-1995, college: Arizona) added 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Osaka E.Four Osaka E. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sea Horses M. moved-up to second place, which they share with 4 other teams. Osaka E. at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. They were replaced at the leadership position by Nagasaki. Osaka E. will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Sea Horses M. will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Osaka E. at home.
Top scorers:
Sea Horses M.: Z.Auguste 17+9reb+3ast, D.Gardner 16+6reb+4ast, J.Layman 15+9reb+5ast, Y.Nishida 9+4reb+2ast, Y.Kubota 8+1reb, A.Schafer 7+2reb
Osaka E.: R.Parks 19+6reb+3ast, M.Bonds 18+4reb+1ast, R.Luther 14+10reb+4ast, M.Kinoshita 11+1reb+2ast, T.Suzuki 3+3ast, H.Maki 3+2ast

Sendai 89ers - Tochigi Brex 72-76

There was no surprise when bottom-ranked 89ers (0-6) lost to second ranked Tochigi Brex (4-2) in Sendai 72-76 on Saturday. Strangely Sendai 89ers outrebounded Tochigi Brex 47-28 including 17 on the offensive glass. American players dominated the game. Guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn State) nailed 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winning side and power forward Gavin Edwards (206-1988, college: UConn, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 18 points and 5 rebounds. Four Tochigi Brex players scored in double figures. Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) came up with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Stanton Kidd (202-1992, college: Colorado St.) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Sendai 89ers in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Tochigi Brex have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 4-2 record behind leader Nagasaki, which they share with Ryukyu and Saga B. Loser 89ers still closes the standings with six games lost. Tochigi Brex will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sendai 89ers will play again against the league's second-placed Tochigi Brex (#2) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: G.Edwards 18+5reb+1ast, D.Newbill 17+7reb+4ast, M.Hiejima 16+4reb+3ast, G.Jerrett 11+5reb+1ast, I.Fotu 7+4reb, S.Ikaruga 4+3reb+3ast
Sendai 89ers: N.Boothe 18+8reb+4ast, S.Kidd 16+6reb, Y.Aoki 8+2reb+3ast, T.Dickson 7+2reb+1ast, C.Felicio 5+12reb+1ast, A.Tajima 5+1reb+5ast

FE Nagoya - Hokkaido L. 81-83

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Hokkaido L. (1-4) edged their close opponent Fighting Eagles (1-4) in Nagoya 83-81 on Saturday. Hokkaido L. forced 22 FE Nagoya turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Tsukasa Nakano (185-1996) nailed 22 points for the winning side and American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 19 points. Swingman Ryo Sadohara (192-1999) came up with 17 points and 5 rebounds and American power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) added 13 points respectively for FE Nagoya in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Hokkaido L. left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with FE Nagoya and Koshigaya A. It was FE Nagoya's fourth loss in a row. Hokkaido L. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. FE Nagoya will play again against Hokkaido L. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: T.Nakano 22+3reb+2ast, R.Kriener 19+3reb+3ast, S.Terazono 12+5ast, R.Shimatani 9+5reb+8ast, T.Welsh 8+10reb+3ast, K.Sekino 7
FE Nagoya: R.Sadohara 17+5reb, S.O'Mara 13+3reb+1ast, H.Nakamura 12+3reb+2ast, S.Uchio 9+3reb, N.Namizato 8+1reb+5ast, I.Butts 6+5reb+2ast

Ibaraki R. - Nagoya DD 84-77

There was a minor upset when second-ranked Dolphins (3-2) lost to fifth ranked Robots (2-3) in Mito 77-84 on Saturday. Ibaraki R. made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Point guard Noboru Hasegawa (174-1996) nailed 15 points and 9 assists for the winning side and American Eric Jacobsen (208-1994, college: Arizona St.) accounted for 15 points and 12 rebounds. American power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds and the former international point guard Takumi Saito (172-1995) added 18 points and 9 assists respectively for Nagoya DD in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Ibaraki R. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Gunma CT. Loser Dolphins keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Ibaraki R. will meet at home higher ranked Nagoya DD (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Nagoya DD will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: N.Hasegawa 15+3reb+9ast, E.Jacobsen 15+12reb, K.Nakamura 14+3reb+1ast, R.Franks 12+8reb+3ast, Z.Endo 9+2ast, C.Tapscott 6+5reb+2ast
Nagoya DD: T.Saito 18+9ast, S.Eatherton 17+14reb+3ast, L.Maye 12+5reb, T.Nakahigashi 10+4reb+3ast, T.Kato 6, I.Murphy 4+3reb

Kawasaki BT - Yokohama BC 88-81

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Brave Thunders (2-4) won against 5th ranked B-Corsairs (3-3) in Kanagawa 88-81 on Saturday. Kawasaki forced 19 Yokohama BC turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for the winning side and British-American power forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (212-1998, college: NC State) accounted for 20 points and 16 rebounds. Brave Thunders' coach Ronen Ginzburg used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. American Gary Clark (198-1994, college: Cincinnati) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and Filipino guard Kiefer Ravena (183-1993) added 18 points and 6 assists respectively for Yokohama BC in the defeat. Kawasaki moved-up to seventh place. Loser B-Corsairs dropped to the third position with three games lost. They share it with Akita NH. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: R.Allen 34+6reb+2ast, S.Killeya-Jones 20+16reb+1ast, M.Wright 10+2reb+4ast, K.Kobari 6+2reb+2ast, A.Johnson 5+8reb+5ast, R.Shinoyama 5+8ast
Yokohama BC: G.Clark 20+12reb+3ast, K.Ravena 18+3reb+6ast, M.Kotsar 13+12reb+1ast, T.Oba 10+2reb, K.King 9+3reb, D.Inglis 7+15reb+4ast

Sunrockers Sh. - Hiroshima D. 79-63

Not a big story in a game when bottom-ranked Dragonflies (0-5) lost to sixth ranked SunRockers (3-2) in Tokyo 63-79 on Saturday. Kazakhstan-American point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) nailed 16 points and 7 assists for the winning side and American forward Reid Travis (203-1995, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 17 points and 7 rebounds. Four SunRockers players scored in double figures. American forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) added 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Hiroshima D. in the defeat. Dragonflies' coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Sunrockers Sh. moved-up to second place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Dragonflies still closes the standings with five games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will meet at home Hiroshima D. (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Hiroshima D. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sunrockers Sh.: R.Travis 17+7reb+1ast, A.Clemmons 16+3reb+7ast, J.Hawkinson 14+11reb, K.Jones 11+5reb+1ast, L.Vendrame 9+5reb+3ast, D.Tanaka 7+1reb+2ast
Hiroshima D.: K.Blackshear Jr. 20+6reb+1ast, D.Evans 14+12reb+2ast, N.Mayo 11+5reb+1ast, T.Nakamura 6+2reb+1ast, R.Yamazaki 6+1reb+1ast, R.Watanabe 3