Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka held off Earth Friends Tokyo Z 78-73 in a closely contested B2 League matchup at Fukuoka Citizens Gymnasium on October 24, 2026. The home team used a decisive third-quarter run to take control and then made the key plays down the stretch to preserve the win.

Match Overview

Tokyo Z started brightly, knocking down three early three-pointers to take a 19-14 lead after the first quarter. Fukuoka struggled to find rhythm offensively but stayed within striking distance thanks to solid interior defense. The Rizing Zephyr tightened their defense in the second period, holding Tokyo Z to just 12 points, and took a 35-31 lead into halftime. The third quarter proved decisive as Fukuoka opened with a 12-4 run, extending their advantage to double digits. Tokyo Z fought back in the fourth, cutting the deficit to three with a minute remaining, but Fukuoka converted six straight free throws to seal the victory.

Key Moments

The turning point came midway through the third quarter when Fukuoka’s center Daiki Tanaka grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a put-back while being fouled. The three-point play sparked a 9-0 run that gave the home side a 52-40 lead. Tokyo Z responded with a 10-2 surge of their own early in the fourth, but Fukuoka’s veteran guard, Shun Ito, hit a step-back jumper and then fed Tanaka for a dunk on the next possession to halt the comeback.

Tactical Story

Fukuoka dominated the rebounding battle, pulling down 42 boards to Tokyo Z’s 34, including 14 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points. Their half-court offense relied heavily on high pick-and-rolls with Tanaka as the screener, forcing Tokyo Z to collapse and opening up corner threes. Tokyo Z, meanwhile, lived and died by the three-pointer, attempting 32 shots from beyond the arc but making only 10. Their inability to generate consistent inside scoring proved costly.

Standout Performers

• Daiki Tanaka (Fukuoka): 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, dominating the paint on both ends.
• Shun Ito (Fukuoka): 16 points, 7 assists, and steady leadership in the fourth quarter.
• Shohei Yamamoto (Tokyo Z): 17 points and 5 assists, keeping his team within reach until the final minutes.

Season Impact

The win strengthens Fukuoka’s position in the upper half of the B2 League standings and reinforces their home-court advantage. Tokyo Z remains in the playoff hunt but will need to improve their rebounding and interior defense to compete with the league’s top teams. The two sides will meet again later in the season, and this result will serve as a valuable reference point for both coaches.