Photo from Shishu Brave Warriors
MANILA, Philippines—Utsunomiya used a late-game push to fend off Shinshu, 72-63, in its inter-conference matchup in the 2021-22 Japan B.League season Saturday at White Ring in Nagano.
Held at 50-50 early in the fourth, the Brex slowly built a 10-point lead with Hiejima Makoto knocking down a jumper for his team’s 65-55 buffer with 2:46 to play.
Okada Yuta managed to get the Brave Warriors to within six, 67-61, with less than a minute left but Hiejima iced the game from the line hitting two free throws with 39 seconds left for the 69-61 lead.
Hiejima led Utsunomiya with 19 points, four rebounds, one steal, and two blocks while Isaac Foot added 14 points and four boards.
Okada had 15 points to lead Shinshu while Anthony McHenry added 13 points and seven rebounds.
Matthew Aquino played just three minutes off the bench tallying one rebound.