Kai Sotto held to just 6 points as Chiba rips Hiroshima behind hot shooting to tie B.League quarterfinals

Chris Smith dropped six triples on Kai Sotto's Hiroshima squad. B.League (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN—Kai Sotto had a quiet stint as a starter for Hiroshima and Chiba waxed hot from beyond the arc to help establish a 98-69 blowout in Game 2 of the Japan B.League quarterfinals on Sunday at the Funabashi Arena.

The seven-foot-three beanpole was held to only six points and six rebounds without a block in nearly 26 minutes of play, although he helped get his fellow Dragonflies going with three assists while also tallying two steals.

Still, the Jets avenged their tough Game 1 upset loss on Saturday with a barrage of shots from 22 feet and beyond, scoring 17 triples in total.

Chiba also managed to impose its will inside the arc, going 16-of-26 on deuces.

Chris Smith led the Jets, who sent their playoff series against the Dragonflies to sudden death, with 25 points on 6-for-10 shooting from long range, six rebounds, and five assists, while Yuki Togashi added 16 points, two rebounds, and eight assists.

Nick Mayo had 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal to lead Hiroshima.

Game 3 is set on Monday night also at the Funabashi Arena.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno