B.League Finals: Utsunomiya Outplays Ryukyu in Game 1
The Brex sank 16 3-pointers in the B.League Finals opener against the Golden Kings. They led by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter at Yokohama Arena.
Utsunomiya Brex point guard Atsuya Ogawa shoots a 3-pointer in the first quarter of the B.League Finals Game 1 on May 24 at Yokohama Arena. The Brex defeated the Ryukyu Golden Kings 81-68. (©B.LEAGUE)
YOKOHAMA ― One of the maxims of contemporary basketball states that "you live by the 3-pointer and die by the 3-pointer." Although it's not always the primary reason for a win or a loss, the opening match of the B.League Finals showed how impactful the long-range shot can be.
The Utsunomiya Brex sank 16 3-pointers (out of 39 attempts), with seven different players knocking down shots from beyond the arc, in an 81-68 win over the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Saturday afternoon, May 24.
Reigning league MVP DJ Newbill, a Penn State alum, scored a game-high 25 points, including 4 of 10 on 3s, to spark the Brex. Backup point guard Atsuya Ogawa added 15 points to match his highest-scoring game from the regular season (on March 15 against the Nagasaki Velca), making 3 of 5 3s.
Between them, Newbill and Ogawa made more 3-pointers than the Golden Kings. (Teammate Grant Jerrett also knocked down three 3s to account for all of his points in the win.)
Utsunomiya, which had a league-best 48-12 record during the regular season, held Ryukyu to 6-for-23 on 3-point attempts.
That 30-point advantage on 3s was one of the key factors in the Brex's Game 1 triumph. Head coach Zico Coronel's team also played aggressive defense, and the Golden Kings didn't handle that pressure well at various times during the game.
Ryukyu, which made only 12 of 21 foul shots, committed 14 turnovers. The Brex outscored the Golden Kings 15-8 on points from turnovers before an announced crowd of 13,121.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series is on Sunday at Yokohama Arena. Tipoff is 1:10 PM.
"It is regrettable that we allowed Utsunomiya to make so many 3-point shots," said Golden Kings shooting guard Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki, who had 11 points. "Offensively, we should have been a little more aggressive individually.
"This loss was a great experience for us. We will take advantage of this experience tomorrow." Brex guard DJ Newbill shoots a jumper in Game 1. (B.LEAGUE)
The Golden Kings (46-14 in the regular season) trailed 41-35 entering the third quarter and never pulled ahead in the second half.
Newbill dominated in the third quarter, scoring 12 of his team's 18 points to ignite the Utsunomiya offense.
At the same time, Ryukyu had a woeful performance in the third, missing 11 of 15 shots from the floor.
The combination of Newbill's brilliance and the Golden Kings' scoring woes in the 10-minute period factored mightily in the Brex's commanding 59-45 lead heading into the final quarter.
With 7:03 remaining, Jerrett sank a 3 to give the Brex their largest lead of the game (70-53). Golden Kings big man Jack Cooley competes against Brex frontcourt standout Grant Jerrett. (B.LEAGUE)
Ryukyu answered with a 10-3 spurt, cutting it to 73-63 on a Jack Cooley layup. Shogo Taira provided the assist at the 2:42 mark.
But that was as close as the Golden Kings would get.
Veteran guard Yusuke Endo, a member of the Brex's two B.League championship teams (2016-17, 2021-22), flushed a catch-and-shoot 3 from the right baseline to increase the lead to 76-63. The Golden Kings promptly called a timeout with 2 minutes remaining.
Utsunomiya maintained a sizable lead and dribbled out the clock on its final possession.
Moments later, Newbill, who had a game-high six assists, addressed the crowd.
"It was a great win," he said. "We've still got to win again tomorrow. The job's not finished."
Noting that it was a collective effort, Newbill commended his teammates for the energy they exerted in slowing down Ryukyu's offense, which averaged 85.5 points per game (No 2 in the B.League) in the regular season.
"Our defense really helped us out today," Newbill said before thousands of Brex fans applauded in the stands. Teamwork: Utsunomiya's Gavin Edwards (right) helps teammate DJ Newbill get back up after a play. Edwards scored 15 points and had four assists in the win. (BLEAGUE)
In addition to Newbill and Ogawa, Gavin Edwards also scored in double figures (15 points) and blocked two shots for Utsunomiya. Longtime teammates Endo and Makoto Hiejima added six and five points, respectively.
Hiejima, who averaged 13.2 points in the regular season, scored in single digits for the third straight playoff game. The floor leader, who dished out five assists, said Ogawa's productivity helped secure the win.
"Ogawa gives us momentum off the bench and is an indispensable player," Hiejima told a postgame news conference. "I think today's performance was normal for him." Utsunomiya's Makoto Hiejima (B.LEAGUE)
Coronel was pleased with the Brex's effort, saying, "We played hard and we played together."
In May 2024, the Golden Kings beat the Hiroshima Dragonflies 74-62 in Game 1 of the B.League Finals, then lost the next two games.
Which is why Coronel reminded his players and the assembled crowd in Yokohama that the championship series isn't over yet.
"We didn't come here to win one game," Coronel proclaimed, standing on the court shortly after Game 1 ended. The New Zealander added, "We came here to win a series. Half the work is done."
Enthusiastic chants of "Zico" from the Brex's rabid supporters followed. Brex coach Zico Coronel (left) speaks after the game on the court. (B.LEAGUE)
Coronel, who began the season as an assistant coach, became acting head coach in January when Kevin Braswell was hospitalized in Tochigi Prefecture after suffering a heart attack. Braswell, 46, died several weeks later after undergoing heart surgery.
Led by Coronel, the players are unified in their quest to win the title as a lasting tribute to Braswell.
Hiejima reminded reporters about this after the game.
"We are fighting with a special feeling, so we hope to win tomorrow and make Kevin and Zico the best head coaches in Japan," Hiejima said. Brex guard Atsuya Ogawa attacks the basket in the series opener. (B.LEAGUR)
In a back-and-forth first quarter, Ryukyu took an 11-6 lead near the midway point on a Cooley putback and free throw.
A flurry of 3-pointers followed.
On back-to-back possessions, Newbill connected on a pair of 3s to pull the Brex within two. Sandwiched between his opponent's baskets, Golden Kings star Vic Law drained a high-arching 3, with the trajectory of a rainbow.
Moments later, Jerrett sank a shot from beyond the arc and teammate Ogawa followed with another 3 to put the Brex in front 18-14 with 3:30 to play in the first half.
Ogawa was Utsunomiya's top scorer in the first half (11 points), followed by Newbill with 10.
Cooley paced Ryukyu with 14 points and nine rebounds (six offensive boards) before intermission, and Law had an 11-point first half.
Later in the game, the 190-cm Ogawa also showcased his dribble-drive moves on aggressive forays to the basket while scoring layups.
After finishing the afternoon with a 6-for-10 shooting performance in 19-plus minutes, Ogawa said his mindset paid off in Game 1.
"The points were the result of my aggressive play," the 22-year-old Niigata Prefecture native told reporters.
Ogawa also commented on his outside shooting and the decision on multiple occasions to attack the basket.
"I have been working on my 3-point shooting as it has been an issue for me," Ogawa said. "The team tells me to shoot it when it's open, so I try to shoot it when it's open."
He added: "I was able to see my driving lanes, so I am glad I was able to attack them. [And] I will continue to aim for that tomorrow." Vic Law led the Golden Kings with 18 points in Game 1. (B.LEAGUE)
Law averaged 16.0 points in the regular season. In six postseason games, he's increased his scoring average to 21.5, which includes 18 in Game 1 against the Brex.
Cooley, who joined the Golden Kings in 2019, is appearing in his fourth consecutive B.League Finals. He had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the perennial title contenders.
Alex Kirk and Masahiro Waki contributed seven points apiece. Kirk also had a game-high 12 rebounds. Ryukyu center Alex Kirk was an active presence at both ends of the floor. (B.LEAGUE)
Ryukyu coach Dai Oketani didn't rattle off a slew of statistics while speaking to reporters after the game. Instead, Oketani focused on what he considered a decisive factor in the outcome of the championship series opener.
"I feel that Utsunomiya No 7, Atsuya Ogawa, decided the game for us today," Oketani said. "It is difficult to defend all of Utsunomiya's attacks, which are among the best in the league. However, some attacks we wanted to prevent, we were able to correct our defense in the fourth quarter and successfully defended through them, which was a good thing."
Looking ahead to Sunday's rematch, Oketani said, "You never know what will happen in a game. We will do our best again tomorrow to maximize our chances of victory." Ryukyu guard Tatsuya Ito runs the offense as Utsunomiya's Atsuya Ogawa defends. (B.LEAGUE)
In the teams' only regular season series, the Brex defeated the Golden Kings 105-86 on January 25 at Okinawa Arena. The next day in a rematch, Ryukyu bounced back with a 97-88 win.
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
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( With 9:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, Aluma knocked down a 3. The Okinawa squad now led 57-46 and Aluma now had 12 points on the night to the delight of rabid Ryukyu supporters, who were smiling and chanting "Go, go Kings" That was when Hiejima started to heat up on offense. He made a 3-pointer in response to Aluma's. Looking back on the Utsunomiya comeback, Hiejima spoke about his style of play. Makoto Hiejima led all scorers with 14 points in the fourth quarter. (©SANKEI) "I'm sorry, but I don't shoot unless I'm under pressure," Hiejima said on the court in his postgame interview. Describing his role as the catalyst of the rally, he added: "It was a shot that I really made with my heart, and I believe that the late head coach Braswell gave me the push I needed." Shortly after that, a pair of Newbill free throws cut it to 58-53 with 6:50 to play. Cooley picked up his fifth foul with 5:48 remaining. 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( "When I think about whether or not we were able to switch the game around properly as a team when the other team took over in the fourth quarter, I have some regrets," said Matsuwaki, one of three Golden Kings players to score in double digits. He had 12 points, Aluma scored 15 and Law had 16 on 4-for-16 shooting and 13 rebounds. Matsuwaki added, "However, I am proud that we were able to make it to the Finals stage like this, and I am glad that we fought as a team. We really wanted to win the championship, but I think we were able to move in the right direction throughout the season." The Golden Kings react after their Game 3 loss. (KYODO) Coach Oketani expressed gratitude for his players' effort in the Finals and throughout the season. "The players fought hard until the very end, despite everything that has happened so far," said Oketani, whose team defeated the San-en NeoPhoenix in double overtime in Game 2 of the playoff semifinals to force a decisive Game 3. A Game 2 win on Sunday, May 25 provided the same opportunity for his club in the Finals. "Everyone grew and fulfilled their roles," added Oketani. "I feel that it was a very successful season. I would like to thank all of our fans for their support, for today's game would not have been possible without it. We will work even harder, and I hope that you, the fans, will join us in supporting us." On YouTube, commenting on a Game 3 highlights video, a Golden Kings supporter shared their thoughts on the 2024-25 season and the Finals. "I was happy to see the Kings playing without giving up until the very end," the fan wrote. "Of course it's frustrating, but thank you so much for bringing us to the Finals. I think it's really amazing that they've made it to the Finals four years in a row. They are the pride of Okinawa." Newbill was the leading scorer in Game 1 (25 points), and he led all players with 21 points in Game 2. Since the current format (best-of-three) was first held in 2021 for the Finals, two championship series required a third game. The Chiba Jets claimed the title in 2021 with a Game 3 win over the Brex. And in 2024, the Hiroshima Dragonflies topped the Golden Kins 65-50 in Game 3. Nearly all of the Utsunomiya boosters, who proudly claim membership in the Brex Nation, wore yellow shirts or team jerseys. Almost every Golden Kings fan was clad in either yellow or white. In all, it was a bright backdrop of colors in the spacious arena. After losing the battle on the boards in Game 2 (Ryukyu outrebounded Utsunomiya 47-33), the Brex had a stronger effort in that phase of the game on Tuesday as the Kings held a slight edge (41-37). Brex teammates Makoto Hiejima and DJ Newbill embrace after the game. ( "It was a really tough season, but everyone on the team played with a special and strong desire for head coach Braswell, and I am very happy that we were able to make history with this win," Hiejima said after the Brex's title-clinching win. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
25-05-2025
- Japan Forward
B.League Finals: Ryukyu Rebounds with Game 2 Victory
The Golden Kings outscored the Utsunomiya Brex 24-11 in the decisive fourth quarter to even the best-of-three Finals at one game apiece. Ryukyu Golden Kings guard Hayate Arakawa shoots a layup in the fourth quarter in Game 2 of the Finals against the Utsunomiya Brex on May 25, 2025, at Yokohama Arena. (© YOKOHAMA ― Facing elimination with one more loss in the Finals, the Ryukyu Golden Kings excelled in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Sunday afternoon, May 25. With their title hopes on the line, the dynamic one-two punch of veteran forward Vic Law and reserve guard Hayate Arakawa carried the offense. They scored 10 points apiece in the fourth, with both knocking down a pair of 3-point shots, as the Golden Kings outscored the Utsunomiya Brex 24-11 in the final period to secure a hard-earned 87-75 victory. Game 3 of the best-of-three championship series is on Tuesday night, May 27. Tipoff is 7:05 PM. Players from both teams spoke about the significance of the series finale shortly after Game 2 wrapped up. "It's do or die now," said Brex guard DJ Newbill, the 2023-24 season MVP, after his game-high 21-point, seven-rebound, seven-assist, three-steal performance. "We've got to come out and play our game." He added that his team must play "with a sense of urgency" on Tuesday. Ryukyu star Vic Law (KYODO) After leading the Golden Kings with 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds, Law said his team's trademark will be on display once again in the series-deciding match. "Each game, each night, we play as hard as we can," the Northwestern University alum said. Frontcourt mate Jack Cooley, who notched a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), said the Golden Kings recognize what's their top priority for Tuesday night. "We're going to play our hardest in our final game," Cooley vowed. x Golden Kings fans show support for their team. ( Utsunomiya won the series opener 81-68 on Saturday. In that game, the Brex sank 16 3-pointers, and 22-year-old point guard Atsuya Ogawa sparked the Eastern Conference champions with 15 points off the bench. Ryukyu coach Dai Oketani called Ogawa the X-factor in Game 1 and said he was determined to limit his impact on Sunday. The Golden Kings held the Brex to 11 3-pointers out of 34 attempts in Game 2, and Ogawa was held to six points (on 2-for-5 shooting). Ryukyu's overall energy and hustle plays at both ends of the floor were crucial. The Western Conference champions outrebounded the Brex 47-33, including a 22-13 advantage on the offensive glass, which helped them score 22 second-chance points. Moreover, the Golden Kings' frequent attack-the-basket tactics were on display throughout the 40-minute contest, leading to a 46-34 advantage in points in the paint. In his quick analysis of the bounce-back win, Oketani praised his players for their effective performance and for their spirited effort. "I would like to give my sincere praise to the players who persevered through many difficult times," Oketani said. "We will not forget the flow and energy we showed in the second half today, and we look forward to another exciting game in Game 3." Golden Kings shooting guard Masahiro Waki runs the offense. Waki had 12 points and eight assists. ( In addition to Law's team-high scoring effort, Arakawa and Cooley finished with 13 points apiece. Arakawa, who averaged 5.3 points in the regular season, was the X-factor in Game 2, according to Oketani. Also for Ryukyu, shooting guard Masahiro Waki chipped in with 12 points and handed out eight assists. Shota Onodera and Keve Aluma both had eight points. Aluma also grabbed 10 rebounds in 24-plus minutes off the bench. Waki, 23, had a consistently solid effort throughout the game. After making 3 of 8 shots and scoring seven points in Game 1, he was a more active presence on offense in the rematch. Waki was 6-for-9 from the floor on Sunday. "I am happy that everyone was focused and energetic from the start of the game," Waki said, referring to his team. Looking back on Ryukyu's poise in the fourth quarter, Waki said he was pleased to give his team a spark. He broke a 72-all tie with a spinning layup with 4:27 remaining. "When the score was tied, I was playing strong because I like to make big shots," Waki told reporters. "I am happy that I was able to change the game." DJ Newbill led the Brex with 21 points. ( Newbill set the tone for the Brex with 15 of his 21 points in the first half. Utsunomiya had two additional double-digit scorers: Grant Jerrett (14 points) and Gavin Edwards (11). Yusuke Endo and Makoto Hiejima finished with nine and eight, respectively. Utsunomiya coach Zico Coronel acknowledged after the game that Ryukyu's overall edge in rebounding was a key factor. He also credited the Golden Kings for pressuring the ball, which contributed to the Brex's assist total dropping from 24 in Game 1 to 17 the next day. Utsunomiya guard Makoto Hiejima ( Utsunomiya, which had a league-best 48-12 regular-season record, trailed by the slimmest of margins at the end of the first quarter, 21-20. Fueled by a 15-0 run to pull ahead 37-23 on an Ogawa 3-pointer at the 4:09 mark, the Brex grabbed momentum in the second quarter. And they took a 43-35 lead into halftime. But the Golden Kings closed out the half on a positive note: Arakawa's 3 with 2 seconds remaining. That trimmed the lead to single digits. It was Arakawa's first basket of the game. Ryukyu's Vic Law shoots a 3-pointer in the second half. ( On the first possession of the third quarter, Law began to ignite the Golden Kings after he had a quiet first half (1-for-6, two points). It started with a 3-pointer from the left corner. That shot pulled Ryukyu within 43-38, signaling his team was prepared for a metaphorical 12-round heavyweight title bout. An Endo catch-and-shoot 3 put the Brex ahead 46-38 and a Jerrett driving layup extended the advantage to 48-38 at the 8:33 mark. Did this mean Utsunomiya was on the verge of pulling away? No. Onodera made a nifty reverse layup, followed by a Cooley layup courtesy of a Waki assist with 7:43 to play. And then Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki nailed a 3 for the Golden Kings, who pulled within 48-45. The game was still up for grabs. Utsunomiya twice took six-point leads in the next few minutes, but Ryukyu kept responding with timely baskets, too. Law leveled the score at 57-57 on a highlight reel dunk from the baseline. Waki tied it at 59-all on a driving layup. And Aluma made it 61-61 on a pair of free throws. With 43 seconds left in the third, Hiejima canned a 3 from the right corner to put his team in front by three. Golden Kings backup guard Tatsuya Ito countered with a left-handed layup, shooting the ball high off the glass and into the net. His only points of the game, scored with 4 seconds remaining in the third, pulled his team within 64-63. The play fired up his teammates as they took a short break before the fourth quarter began. Ryukyu's Hayate Arakawa shoots a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. ( For the Brex, Coach Coronel said getting ready for the series finale is paramount. "I think it's very self-explanatory. Game 3 determines everything," he told a news conference. "So, of course, [whoever] brings the best effort, the best focus and the best execution, makes big plays, then they will be the champion." Finals: Utsunomiya Outplays Ryukyu in Game 1 Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
