Gunma Crane Thunders secured an 85-74 road win over Altiri Chiba in B1 League play on October 26, 2026, controlling the paint and answering every Chiba run with timely shot-making. The Crane Thunders led for most of the night and pulled away late for an important early-season victory.

Match overview

Gunma set the tone with a strong opening quarter, building a 24-20 lead, and extended the advantage to 46-38 by halftime. Altiri Chiba remained within striking distance for much of the second half, but the Crane Thunders’ size and rebounding proved decisive down the stretch.

The game was not without tension. Chiba cut the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, but Gunma responded with a run of their own and never allowed the home side to complete the comeback.

Key moments

Late in the third quarter, Gunma used a 9-0 run to turn a 57-53 lead into a 66-53 cushion. Chiba answered with four quick points before the end of the period, but the momentum had already shifted. Early in the fourth, Gunma opened with an 8-2 burst to push the lead back to 74-59 and effectively seal the result.

Tactical story

Gunma dominated the interior, outscoring Chiba 46-28 in the paint and grabbing 14 offensive rebounds. That second-chance production proved critical on a night when both teams had stretches of uneven shooting. Chiba relied heavily on three-point shooting and made nine from beyond the arc, but they went cold in the fourth quarter and could not keep pace on the glass.

The Crane Thunders also did a better job of protecting the ball in the second half, limiting Chiba’s transition opportunities. Defensively, Gunma’s size bothered Altiri around the rim and forced several contested jumpers late in the shot clock.

Standout players

Gunma center Trey McKinney was dominant with 24 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring both the offense and the defense. Guard Kenta Ikeda added 16 points and six assists, while forward Ryo Nakamura chipped in 13 points off the bench. Altiri Chiba were led by guard Riku Watanabe with 18 points and six assists, and forward Daniel Hayes contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

Season impact

The win gives Gunma a strong road result and validates their status as a team capable of competing in the upper half of the B1 League table. Chiba, meanwhile, will look to address their rebounding and late-game execution. The loss is a reminder that Altiri’s perimeter-oriented attack can be disrupted when opponents control the paint.