Ed Odeven 
Ryukyu Golden Kings guard Hayate Arakawa shoots a layup in the fourth quarter in Game 2 of the B.League Finals against the Utsunomiya Brex on May 25, 2025, at Yokohama Arena. (©B.LEAGUE)
YOKOHAMA ― Facing elimination with one more loss in the B.League 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 B.League's 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.
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.
Effective Adjustments in Game 2
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."
Balanced Scoring for the Golden Kings
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."
A Fast Start for Newbill
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.
The Brex Take a Commanding Lead in the 2nd Quarter
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.
Clutch Plays Ignite the Golden Kings
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.
Shifting the Focus to Game 3
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."
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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.
