The Hiroshima Dragonflies won their first Japan Basketball Championship with a 65-50 victory over the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Game 3 of the B.League Finals on Tuesday.
Swingman Dwayne Evans added 13 points and guard Takuto Nakamura added 12 to lead the team to a defensive victory at a sold-out Yokohama Arena.
The Okinawa-based Golden Kings were looking to repeat as champions after reaching the finals for the third straight year, but coach Okeya Dai's team struggled to make 3-pointers, connecting on just four of 24 attempts.
Hiroshima Dragonflies player Dwayne Evans (center) looks at the basketball goal during the third game of the B.League basketball final against the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Yokohama Arena near Tokyo on May 28, 2024. (Kyodo)
Hiroshima coach Kyle Milling praised his team's spirit and defensive principles, which helped them finish third in the Western Conference and secure one of two wild-card playoff spots.
“Our strength this year has been defense,” Milling said. “Our guys had confidence in how they were playing and that's what helped us do that this year. Defense wins games and defense wins championships.”
Hiroshima outscored Ryukyu in the first two quarters and led by 11 points late in the third, but the Golden Kings closed the gap to two on a Vic Law three-pointer and Keita Imamura's 2-of-2 free throws in the final turn.
Hiroshima Dragonflies player Takuto Nakamura (center) cheers on his team along with other team supporters wearing red uniforms during the third game of the B.League basketball finals against the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Yokohama Arena near Tokyo on May 28, 2024. (Kyodo)
Ryukyu tried to close the gap in the fourth quarter, but Nakamura made a deep shot with 4 minutes and 16 seconds left to put the lead back in double figures at 56 to 46. The Golden Kings were unable to fight back twice, and Evans scored consecutive points to create a deciding chance.
“We went in with the mentality of being challengers,” Nakamura said. “We just wanted to have fun on this stage, so we were able to play our natural game.”
Hiroshima defeated Ryukyu 72-63 on Sunday to force the series into a decisive Game 3. The Golden Kings won the series opener 74-62 on Saturday.
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