Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 74 – 90 Utsunomiya Brex | B1 League | April 26, 2026
The Utsunomiya Brex delivered a commanding performance on the road, dismantling the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 90-74 at Dolphins Arena on Saturday afternoon. The victory solidified Utsunomiya’s standing among the B1 League elite, while Nagoya was left searching for answers after a second-half collapse.
Match Overview
From the opening tip, the Brex asserted their defensive intensity, forcing Nagoya into difficult shots and converting turnovers into fast-break points. The Dolphins managed to stay within striking distance in the first half, trailing by just six points at the break, but Utsunomiya’s depth and execution in the third quarter proved decisive. A 28-16 run in the third period effectively put the game out of reach, as the visitors’ ball movement and perimeter shooting overwhelmed the home side’s zone schemes.
Key Moments
- First quarter: Utsunomiya opened with a 12-4 burst, establishing an early rhythm behind sharp shooting from beyond the arc.
- Third-quarter surge: The Brex outscored Nagoya 28-16, capitalizing on three consecutive three-pointers that stretched the lead to 20 points.
- Fourth-quarter control: Nagoya never got closer than 14 points in the final period, as Utsunomiya’s bench maintained the defensive pressure and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Standout Players
The Brex were led by their dynamic backcourt, with veteran guard Makoto Hiejima orchestrating the offense for a game-high 22 points and 7 assists. Import forward Ryan Rossiter contributed a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, dominating the paint on both ends. For Nagoya, Justin Burrell fought hard for 16 points and 9 rebounds, but the Dolphins lacked consistent secondary scoring support.
Table and Season Impact
The win improves Utsunomiya’s record to an impressive 38-10, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the league’s top seed as the regular season winds down. Nagoya, meanwhile, drops to 27-21, placing them in a precarious position in the middle of the playoff race. The Dolphins will need to shore up their defensive rotations and find more offensive firepower if they hope to make a deep postseason run.

