The Shimane Susanoo Magic secured an impressive 80-69 home victory over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders in B1 League play on October 19, 2026. Shimane’s defensive intensity and disciplined half-court execution proved too much for Kawasaki, who were held to their lowest scoring output of the young season.

Match Overview

Shimane set the tone early with active hands on the perimeter and a compact defensive shell that denied easy penetration. The Susanoo Magic led 21-16 after the first quarter and never allowed Kawasaki to establish sustained offensive rhythm. Every time the Brave Thunders threatened to close the gap, Shimane answered with a timely three-pointer or a tough basket inside.

• Q1: Shimane 21-16 Kawasaki
• Q2: Shimane 18-17 Kawasaki
• Q3: Shimane 22-18 Kawasaki
• Q4: Shimane 19-18 Kawasaki
• Final: Shimane Susanoo Magic 80-69 Kawasaki Brave Thunders

The Susanoo Magic shot 44% from the field and held Kawasaki to 38%, including just 6-of-25 from three-point range. Shimane also controlled the boards 41-34, limiting second-chance opportunities and forcing Kawasaki to play against a set defense for most of the night.

Key Moments

The decisive run came in the third quarter. With Shimane leading 41-36, the home side ripped off a 12-3 burst over a four-minute span. Takuya Soma sparked the run with a transition dunk, and Jamar Smith followed with back-to-back three-pointers that pushed the lead to 53-39.

Kawasaki responded with a 7-0 run of their own early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 62-54. But Shimane’s defense tightened again, forcing three consecutive empty possessions. A crucial offensive rebound and put-back from center Ryusei Matsumoto restored a double-digit lead, and Kawasaki never got closer than eight points in the final five minutes.

Tactical Story

Shimane’s defensive game plan was clear: shrink the paint, contest every three-pointer, and force Kawasaki’s guards into difficult mid-range decisions. The Brave Thunders struggled to find clean looks inside, and their outside shooting never found a consistent rhythm. Shimane’s rotations were sharp, particularly when Kawasaki tried to attack through ball screens.

Offensively, the Susanoo Magic played with patience. They used Soma as a pressure release in the mid-post and generated open looks through drive-and-kick actions. Shimane’s 18 assists on 29 made field goals reflected their willingness to share the ball, while their 11 offensive rebounds provided crucial extra possessions.

Standout Players

• Takuya Soma (Shimane): 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
• Jamar Smith (Shimane): 17 points, including three three-pointers.
• Ryusei Matsumoto (Shimane): 12 points and 10 rebounds.
• Kenta Watanabe (Kawasaki): 15 points and 5 rebounds.
• Daichi Kobayashi (Kawasaki): 12 points and 6 assists.

B1 League Impact

The win is a significant confidence boost for Shimane, who showed they can defend at a high level against one of the B1 League’s more established clubs. It also gives the Susanoo Magic an important head-to-head result early in the campaign and strengthens their standing in the B1 table. For Kawasaki, the loss highlights the need for more consistent perimeter shooting and better ball movement against compact defenses. The Brave Thunders will look to regroup quickly as the B1 schedule continues.