Shimane Susanoo Magic cruise past Kawasaki Brave Thunders 95-74
The Shimane Susanoo Magic delivered a convincing road performance on Wednesday, defeating the Kawasaki Brave Thunders 95-74 at the Kawasaki Todoroki Arena. Shimane controlled the game from the second quarter onward, using a combination of sharp three-point shooting and stifling defense to secure a comfortable B1 League victory.
Match overview
Kawasaki kept it close early, trailing just 24-18 after the first quarter. But Shimane pulled away in the second period, outscoring the Brave Thunders 25-20 to take a 49-38 halftime lead. The Susanoo Magic then put the game out of reach with a 23-19 third quarter, extending their advantage to 15 points entering the final period.
- Q1: Kawasaki 18, Shimane 24
- Q2: Kawasaki 20, Shimane 25
- Q3: Kawasaki 19, Shimane 23
- Q4: Kawasaki 17, Shimane 23
- Final: Kawasaki 74, Shimane 95
Key moments
The decisive stretch came midway through the third quarter. Leading 58-48, Shimane went on a 13-3 run over four minutes, highlighted by three consecutive three-pointers from the wings. Kawasaki’s offense stalled during that span, missing six straight field-goal attempts and committing three turnovers. By the time the Brave Thunders regrouped, the deficit had ballooned to 20 points.
Tactical story
Shimane’s defense was the story of the night. The Susanoo Magic held Kawasaki to 38% shooting from the field and 28% from beyond the arc, while forcing 16 turnovers. They also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Brave Thunders 46-35. Offensively, Shimane moved the ball beautifully, finishing with 22 assists and knocking down 14 three-pointers. Kawasaki, by contrast, managed just seven triples and struggled to generate clean looks against Shimane’s switching scheme.
Standout players
Susanoo Magic guard Cameron Oliver led all scorers with 26 points and added 10 rebounds, while sharpshooter Yuki Kawamura contributed 18 points and six assists. Forward Tatsuya Suzuki chipped in 14 points off the bench. For Kawasaki, Sota Takahashi scored 19 points, but no other Brave Thunders player reached double figures until the final two minutes.
Season impact
Shimane improves to 11-3 and solidifies its place among the B1 League’s top contenders. Kawasaki falls to 5-9 and continues to struggle with consistency on both ends of the floor. The Brave Thunders will need a quick turnaround as they prepare for a tough stretch of games, while the Susanoo Magic look increasingly like a team capable of making a deep playoff run.