The Kobe Storks opened their B1 League campaign with an 84-78 victory over the Osaka Evessa on Sunday, September 27, 2026, using a composed fourth quarter to turn a tied game into a six-point home win. In a matchup between two Kansai-region clubs, the Storks rode a 24-point closing period and a decisive rebounding advantage to claim their first result of the season in front of a loud home crowd.

Match Overview

Kobe controlled long stretches of the contest but never managed to break clear until the final ten minutes. The Storks led 42-38 at halftime, saw that advantage erased by a strong Osaka third quarter, and then finished the game on a 24-18 run to seal the result. The Evessa had chances late, but cold shooting from the perimeter and second-chance points conceded on the glass proved too much to overcome.

• Final score: Kobe Storks 84, Osaka Evessa 78
• Quarter scores: 20-18, 22-20, 18-22, 24-18
• Halftime: Kobe 42, Osaka 38
• Competition: B1 League, 2026-27 season
• Venue: Kobe, Japan

First Half: Kobe Build the Foundation

The Storks came out with clear intent, pushing the tempo early and attacking the rim through their import frontcourt. Marcus Ellison set the tone inside, scoring on the block and drawing fouls, while guard Takumi Nishikawa kept the offense organized against Osaka's ball pressure. Kobe shot efficiently in the opening period and led 20-18 after ten minutes.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Osaka found some rhythm through Jordan Reeves, who created off the dribble and knocked down a pair of mid-range jumpers, but the Evessa struggled to convert at the rim against Kobe's help defense. A late Storks surge, capped by a corner three from Ryoga Fujita, sent the hosts into the locker room with a four-point cushion at 42-38.

Key Moments and the Fourth-Quarter Surge

Osaka's best stretch of the game arrived in the third quarter. The Evessa tightened their defensive rotations, forced three Kobe turnovers in quick succession and used transition opportunities to level the score. Taishi Kondo's driving layup late in the period made it 60-60 heading into the final ten minutes, swinging the momentum toward the visitors.

What followed was the defining passage of the game. Kobe opened the fourth with an 11-3 run, sparked by two DeAndre Whitfield finishes at the rim and a pull-up three from Nishikawa that pushed the lead into double digits. Osaka responded with a 7-0 burst of their own to cut the deficit to three with under three minutes remaining, but the Storks answered on the next two possessions — a tough contested jumper and a pair of free throws — to keep the Evessa at arm's length. From there, Kobe protected the ball and closed the game out at the line.

Tactical Story: Defense and the Rebounding Battle

The rebounding numbers told the story of the night. Kobe won the battle on the glass comfortably, generating extra possessions in the first half and limiting Osaka's second-chance opportunities when the game tightened. The Storks also did a solid job of keeping the Evessa off the free-throw line in the closing minutes, forcing them into contested jump shots instead of allowing drives into the paint.

Osaka's defensive game plan was aggressive — trapping pick-and-rolls and daring Kobe's wings to shoot — and it worked in the third quarter. But the Evessa's offense became stagnant late, relying heavily on isolation plays from their guards while the Storks rotated help defenders effectively. Kobe's half-court execution in the fourth quarter, particularly their patience in the pick-and-roll, was the difference in a game that was decided by small margins.

Standout Performers

• Marcus Ellison (Kobe): Dominant on the interior, leading all scorers and controlling the defensive glass.
• Takumi Nishikawa (Kobe): The steady hand in the backcourt, delivering key baskets in the fourth-quarter run.
• DeAndre Whitfield (Kobe): Efficient around the rim and a constant presence as a lob threat.
• Jordan Reeves (Osaka): The Evessa's most reliable source of offense, creating shots throughout the contest.
• Taishi Kondo (Osaka): Sparked the third-quarter comeback with aggressive drives and transition buckets.

What the Result Means

For Kobe, the win is an encouraging start to the B1 League season and a statement against a regional rival. Winning the rebounding battle and closing out a tight game are exactly the habits that separate playoff teams from the middle of the standings over a long campaign. The Storks will look to carry that fourth-quarter poise into their next fixture.

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