Yokohama ¨C With their backs against the wall, the Utsunomiya Brex showed their determination by playing with more energy than they displayed on Saturday and posted a convincing 83-59 victory over the Chiba Jets Funabashi in Game 2 of the B. League Finals on Sunday.
The result at Yokohama Arena leaves the series tied at one apiece, setting the stage for a climactic Game 3 on Tuesday with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
¡°We played a game that disappointed our fans yesterday but I think we bounced back from it today,¡± Brex head coach Ryuzo Anzai said after the game, which was observed by 4,700 spectators. ¡°We gave up too many rebounds and second-chance points yesterday. But our players did really well in those areas today.¡±
Forward/center Ryan Rossiter navigated his club to the win with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Three more Brex players joined him on the scoresheet with double-digit tallies.
In a complete turnaround from Saturday¡¯s Game 1, Utsumomiya outplayed Chiba with greater effort on both ends of the floor. The Brex racked up 42 rebounds ¡ª 15 of which were offensive ¡ª against Chiba¡¯s 32.
¡°We could not have taken two consecutive losses to end the series today,¡± Utsunomiya veteran guard Hironori Watanabe said. ¡°I think we showed our pride as Eastern Conference champions.¡±
Spanish forward Sebastian Saiz led the Jets with 15 points and nine rebounds.
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