Shibuya Sunrockers Shootout Weekend

This is a very important road loss for first ranked Niigata Albirex (31-13) against fourth ranked Hitachi Sunrockers (20-24) on Friday night. Sunrockers Shibuya outplayed the visiting Niigata Albirex BB in Friday’s B-League series opener in Tokyo 92-77. It ended a 4 game losing streak on the road and broke the six-game winning streak of Niigata Albirex.

The hosts out rebounded Niigata Albirex 37-26 including 28 on the defensive glass at Aoyama Gakuin University Memorial Hall. Hitachi Sunrockers looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists, shooting 51.5 percent for the night; Niigata was held to 42.5 percent.

It was a great evening for the Sunrockers’ frontcourt pair, Robert Sacre and Ryan Kelly combined for 52 points. Center Sacre who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points on the board, making 10 of 17 shots from the floor. He also pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots. Kelly helped adding 25 points, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range and 4 assists.

Four Hitachi Sunrockers players scored in double figures. Offensive conductor Leo Vendrame poured in 14 points, dished out six assists and made two steals for Shibuya, while Kaito Morizane, a 21-year-old shooting guard, pumped in 13 points, knocking down four 3s.

Hitachi Sunrockers’ coach Geoffrey Katsuhisa used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest.

On the losing side current league scoring leader Davante Gardner responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the other import power forward Lamont Hamilton scored 21 points. Kei Igarashi managed to add 13 points.

Hitachi Sunrockers maintains fourth place with 20-24 record. Loser Niigata Albirex still keeps top position with 13 games lost.

After this 2 game series, these teams do not play again in the regular season, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Top scorers:
Hitachi SR: R.Sacre 27+12reb, R.Kelly 25+3reb+4ast, L.Vendrame 14+7reb+6ast, M.Kaito 13+1reb+3ast, Y.Mitsuhara 6+3reb, M.Yamauchi 3+3ast
Niigata Albirex: D.Gardner 22+11reb+5ast, L.Hamilton 21+2reb, K.Igarashi 13+1reb+3ast, J.Uzawa 6+1ast, S.Ishii 3+1reb, S.Kashiwagi 3+3reb+3ast

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Niigata Albirex (31-13) in Tokyo on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Hitachi Sunrockers (20-24) 84-72. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Niigata Albirex. Hitachi Sunrockers made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American Ryan Kelly (211-91, college: Duke) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his eight free throws). Canadian center Robert Sacre (213-89, college: Gonzaga) helped adding 15 points and 6 rebounds. Four Hitachi Sunrockers players scored in double figures. Hitachi Sunrockers’ coach Geoffrey Katsuhisa used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American Davante Gardner (203-91, college: Marquette) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds and the other American import power forward Lamont Hamilton (208-84, college: St.John’s) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. Hitachi Sunrockers maintains fourth place with 20-24 record. Niigata Albirex at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Top scorers:
Hitachi SR: R.Kelly 26+11reb+4ast, R.Sacre 15+6reb, L.Vendrame 15, Y.Sugiura 12+2reb, M.Kaito 7+1reb+2ast, K.Hirose 4+8reb+2ast
Niigata Albirex: D.Gardner 33+12reb+3ast, L.Hamilton 20+10reb+1ast, K.Igarashi 8+2reb+5ast, S.Kashiwagi 7+4reb+4ast, Y.Ueta 2+2ast, J.Uzawa 2