B.League Game of the Week: High Numbers and High Drama in OT Rollercoaster
The high-flying Chiba Jets welcomed the struggling Yokohama B.Corsairs to the Funabashi Arena on Sunday. While the hosts were the favourites on paper, Yokohama were now looking to turn their season around behind some big name additions to the squad.
What unfolded was a high-scoring and highly unpredictable rollercoaster match-up which kept changing up right to the very end.
Chiba had the early lead, but Yokohama showed great passing and teamwork even in the face of the Jets going ahead by double digits. There were signs the tide was turning after Yusei Sugiura ended a high-scoring first quarter with a near-half-court shot. When play resumed Yokohama's big men helped to turn the scoreline around and their three-point shooting made it a double digit lead for the visitors.
Yokohama maintained their new grip on the game behind Yuki Kawamura creating chance for himself and his team throughout the third. The Jets responded both in the paint and on the fast break to level the scores ahead of the fourth quarter, the game remained close for the remainder of regulation and throughout overtime.
Late OT heroics from Kai Sotto would be what would finally bring proceedings to a close with Yokohama winners on the road by five.
The new star name for the Corsairs, Sotto was the leading scorer on his debut with 26 points on 62% shooting, he also grabbed eleven rebounds. The Jets were led with John Mooney, who finished with 25 points, while Xavier Crooks had fifteen points and boards in the loss. Five more players finished in double digits on this most exciting night in Chiba.
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