In a compelling Japan League B3 contest on May 18, 2026, the Tachikawa Dice defeated the Takamatsu Five Arrows 86-73 on the road, continuing their strong push toward the top of the standings. The Dice controlled the tempo for most of the game, using a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense to overcome a spirited home side at the Takamatsu City Gymnasium.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Tachikawa established the pace they wanted. Their guards moved the ball quickly in transition, catching the Five Arrows set defense off balance. By the end of the first quarter, the Dice held a 24-18 lead after shooting 52% from the field. Takamatsu relied heavily on their veteran forward duo to stay within reach, but inconsistent outside shooting kept them from closing the gap.

The second quarter saw Tachikawa stretch the lead further. A 9-0 run midway through the period, fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from their shooting guard and a steal that led to a fast-break dunk, put the visitors up by 15. The Five Arrows responded with a timeout but could not slow the Dice’s momentum. At halftime, Tachikawa led 47-34.

Key Moments and Tactical Story

The defining stretch came early in the third quarter. Takamatsu came out determined, cutting the deficit to nine points within three minutes thanks to aggressive drives to the basket. However, Tachikawa’s head coach made a quick adjustment, switching to a 2-3 zone that forced the Five Arrows into contested jumpers. The Dice then capitalized on the other end, scoring 12 unanswered points to push the lead back to 21. That run essentially sealed the outcome.

Takamatsu never quit. In the fourth quarter, they employed full-court pressure and managed to trim the margin to 12 points with five minutes left, but Tachikawa’s composure at the free-throw line—converting 18 of 22 attempts in the second half—kept the game out of reach. Final score: Tachikawa Dice 86, Takamatsu Five Arrows 73.

Standout Performers

• Tachikawa Dice: Their starting point guard posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists, directing the offense with precision. The center added 18 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the paint on both ends. Another key contributor was the shooting guard, who scored 16 points, including four three-pointers.
• Takamatsu Five Arrows: The home team was led by their power forward, who battled tirelessly for 24 points and 9 rebounds. Their point guard chipped in 15 points and 7 assists, but no other Takamatsu player reached double figures, underscoring their offensive struggles.

Season Impact

The victory improves Tachikawa’s record to 14-4 on the season, keeping them in contention for the league’s top playoff seeds. Their defensive rating has been among the best in B3, and this game reinforced that strength. For Takamatsu, the loss drops them to 9-9, leaving them in the middle of the pack. They will need to tighten their perimeter defense and find more consistent scoring options to stay in the playoff race.

Next up: The Dice return home to face the Tokyo United on May 22, while the Five Arrows travel to play the Aomori Wat's on the same day. Both teams will look to build on the lessons learned from this hard-fought contest.