DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - Utsunomiya completed the BCL Asia 2025 Quarter-Finals cast following a 105-99 victory over Shabab Al Ahli, Monday night at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall.
The Brex waxed hot from deep early and led by as many as 17 points before warding off a comeback bid by the hosts on the way to securing the crucial win that finalized the eight-team field for the next round.
The 2024-25 B.League champions' win meant the end of the road for the Changwon LG Sakers as the Korean Basketball League titlists ended up with a -43 point differential - the most inferior in this tournament.
Utsunomiya will be joining reigning champions Al Riyadi, Tabiat, the Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos, Shabab Al Ahli, the Meralco Bolts, the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, and the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions in the Quarter-Finals set June 11.
All that's left for the eight competitors is the draw to be held after the final match of the Group Phase between Al Riyadi and the Pilots later in the night, as it will determine who their opponents will be.
"We wanted to be better than we were yesterday," offered head coach Zico Coronel as the Brex were coming off a 96-86 defeat at the hands of the Bolts some 24 hours ago that spoiled their tournament debut.
"I think we made some progress, but we really have to make a lot of progress if we're fortunate enough to play in the Quarter-Finals," the veteran bench tactician added as they finished at 1-1 in Group B.
DJ Newbill top-scored in the win with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, alongside 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Isaac Fotu notched a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, netting an efficiency of 27.
Makoto Hiejima, doing just fine after suffering a minor ankle sprain versus Meralco, finished with 17 points as the veteran internationalist helped restore order during the fourth quarter to eventually notch the W.
Shabab Al Ahli, behind Deshawndre Washington, cut the huge deficit to only four entering the final period. But Hiejima came alive, leading an 8-0 run to push their lead to 93-81 with 7:14 remaining.
The home team did try to catch up but Utsunomiya found responses, with Hiejima himself rebuilding the lead back to 11 points, 105-94, following a perfect trip to the foul line with 37.7 seconds left to play,
Finn Delany came through with 17 points as well for the Japanese club, who knocked down a total of 13 three-pointers - nine of which they made in the first half to give themselves a 59-54 lead at the break.
And together, the Brex put to naught another Herculean effort of Washington in leading the FIBA WASL-Gulf League champions as the lanky forward finished with 40 points for the second time in a row.
Jermaine Love supplied 14 points. Qais Alshabebi made 13 points and 11 rebounds, Hamed Lateed had 12, while Omar Alameri added 11 as 'D-Wash' did get ample support but those weren't enough to get the win.
FIBA