B.League Finals: Utsunomiya Rallies Past Ryukyu to Capture the Title

YOKOHAMA ― Big plays and big moments defined Game 3 of the B.League Finals.

The Utsunomiya Brex also had more points in the fourth quarter (29) than either team had in the other 10-minute periods.

Star guard Makoto Hiejima's dynamic fourth quarter, when he scored 14 of his 17 points, provided the spark to ignite the Brex offense in the game's most critical stage against the Ryukyu Golden Kings. Simply put, Hiejima's 5-for-5 shooting touch in the final stanza was a pivotal component of the team's title-clinching, 73-71 victory at Yokohama Arena on Tuesday night, May 27.

The Brex have now won more titles (three) than any other team in B.League history. The Alvark Tokyo have a pair of titles (2017-18 and 2018-19, when the championship was decided by a single game).

It was an emotional win for the Brex, who dedicated their season to Kevin Braswell, their beloved head coach who died on February 24, 2025, at age 46 after having a heart attack and heart surgery. In every game they played since his death, Braswell's framed portrait was displayed on the seat next to bench boss Zico Coronel, who succeeded him as the team's top coach. Coronel later held the picture frame, with Braswell's photo facing his heart during his postgame interview.

Braswell and Coronel were close friends who previously coached together and against one another in New Zealand.

After the fourth quarter ended, Utsunomiya players, the coaching staff and team personnel exchanged hugs and smiles and tears of joy.

Reflections on the Brex's Championship Journey

Coronel described the Golden Kings as a sensational team during his postgame interview on the court, noting their four consecutive appearances in the B.League Finals. He said they are "an unbelievable collection of coaches [and] players."

To beat Ryukyu in Game 3, "we are very fortunate," said Coronel, who hails from New Zealand.

Coronel then spoke about Braswell's children, recalling something their father had mentioned.

"Your dad believed this team could be special," an emotional Coronel said. "You see now he's a wise man. He believed you could be very, very special through the ups and downs in life as you grow up. Never forget that."

Coronel called the Brex "a special team."

"I think you can see by all the tears there's no other team who has been in the hospital together, been to the funeral together," he said, recalling the team's collective experience over the past few months.

This title, he said, "means the world to us," and by winning it, "we get to honor KB."

Coronel then paid tribute to Utsunomiya's fans.

"You were amazing for your team all year long," he said. "As we've said all season long since day one, Brex Nation, you were the big yellow wave that brought us home to the shore. Thank you very much."

Newbill Named the B.League Finals MVP

Brex guard DJ Newbill, who scored a game-high 19 points and handed out five assists to lead all players, was named B.League Finals MVP.

"Man, I feel great," the Penn State alum said. "I'm so proud of our team and so proud of our fans. [And] I'm just filled with joy right now."

Newbill added, "Man, we all had the same goal since KB passed on and we wanted to get one (the title) for him. And we got one for KB."

Newbill was named MVP of the 2023-24 B.League season, his first with the Brex. Utsunomiya had a league-best 51-9 record last season but lost in the opening round of the playoffs. They returned in October 2024 with a new head coach in Braswell, who previously had been an assistant coach with the team, and once again had the league's best record (48-12).

Ryukyu Dominates the 1st Half

The Golden Kings took an 18-11 lead into the second quarter and continued to dominate. With 2:37 remaining until halftime, a Keve Aluma 3-pointer gave them a double-digit lead (35-23) for the first time.

Moments later, Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki sank another 3 to make it 38-26.

By halftime, Golden Kings star Vic Law was one rebound shy of a double-double (11 points, nine boards).

Capitalizing on its energy, Ryukyu created consistent scoring opportunities in the opening half, outscoring Utsunomiya 12-2 on fast-break plays.

The Golden Kings also had nine turnovers in the first half. Additional mistakes on offense were more costly in the second half for Ryukyu coach Dai Oketani's club.

"In the first half, we were able to play good basketball at the pace of the Kings," Oketani said after the game. "But in the second half, our scoring was halted by turnovers, and we were targeted for those points by Utsunomiya, which has very skilled players."

Hiejima was held to zero points on 0-for-4 shooting in the first half.

Utsunomiya Mounts a Comeback

Trailing by 12 points when the third quarter began, the Brex quickly began to chip away at the lead.

Gavin Edwards nailed the first basket of the second half, a 3-pointer, at the 9:03 mark.

Just over a minute later, Edwards caught a pass from Hiejima and slammed the ball through the net. The Brex trailed 43-36 at this point. Momentum was shifting.

With 6:07 to play in the third, Edwards was called for his third foul, as Cooley took a charge. Both veteran standouts fouled out in the fourth quarter. 

Former NBA forward Grant Jerrett capped a 10-0 run and cut it to 43-42 on a putback.

For Ryukyu, that one-point lead was back to five and then a Tatsuya Ito steal, followed by a Masahiro Waki layup increased its advantage to 51-44 on the final play of the third quarter.

But the Golden Kings had an inadequate performance on offense in the third, making only 4 of 12 shots from the floor. The absence of point guard Ryuichi Kishimoto (foot injury), who has a knack for hitting clutch shots, proved to be a factor in this series.

B.League Title Decided in the 4th Quarter

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.

"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. It was a frustrating night for the longtime Kings big man, who finished with four points and three rebounds.

After Cooley's departure, Brex guard Atsuya Ogawa buried a left-corner 3-pointer for his first basket of the game. Utsunomiya now trailed 62-57. That quickly changed.

Hiejima showcased his athleticism on a driving layup and made it a one-possession game, 62-59 in favor of Ryukyu.

The Closing Minutes of the Game

With 3:49 remaining, Hiejima lived up to his reputation as a player who thrives in high-pressure moments, converting a mid-range jumper.

Newbill's stop-and-pop 3-pointer made it 67-66 with 1:15 remaining, and gave the Brex their first lead since the 8:47 mark of the opening quarter.

After Aluma sank two foul shots to put his team ahead by one, Hiejima flushed a catch-and-shoot 3 from the left corner. That gave Utsunomiya a 70-68 lead with 33 seconds remaining.

Hiejima sank two free throws to extend the lead to 72-68.

Seiji Ikaruga made the first of two foul shots with 11 seconds to play, giving the Brex a 73-68 lead.

Aluma missed a 3 on the Golden Kings' next possession and Kirk's putback jam made it 73-70.

Ikaruga turned the ball over with 2 seconds to play, giving Ryukyu a chance to tie the game. And Aluma was fouled by Kosuke Takeuchi on a 3-point attempt with 0.6 seconds remaining.

A 79.6% free-throw shooter in the regular season, Aluma made the first attempt and the second one rattled off the rim. He intentionally missed the third one, giving his team the possibility of being in greater position to snare the rebound and make a game-tying shot.

The first part of that strategy worked, as Law grabbed the rebound. Then Jerrett made the Brex's biggest defensive play of the game, blocking Law's close-range shot.

The final buzzer sounded.

Brex fans rejoiced.

And the Golden Kings lost in the B.League Finals for the second consecutive year.

Postgame Reactions from the Golden Kings

"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."

Coach Oketani expressed gratitude for his players' effort in the B.League 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 B.League 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."

A Ryukyu Fan's Perspective

On YouTube, commenting on a Game 3 highlights video, a Golden Kings supporter shared their thoughts on the 2024-25 season and the B.League 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."

In the Paint

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 B.League 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).

The Final Word

"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.

RELATED:

• B.League Finals: Ryukyu Rebounds with Game 2 Victory
• B.League 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.