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| Utsunomiya captured its third Japan B.League title. Kyodo (file photo) |
MANILA--Utsunomiya nearly botched a chance to close out Ryukyu but still went on to capture the Japan B.League title after a tight 73-71 Game 3 win on Tuesday night at the Yokohama Arena.
The Brex looked poised to ice the title clincher as they held a 72-68 lead with 13.9 seconds to go, but they missed three of four free throws, giving the Golden Kings a glimmer of hope.
Alex Kirk scored on a putback dunk that drew Ryukyu to within three, 70-73, and Shota Onodera forced a turnover at the other end, giving the team two seconds to try to send the deciding game of the championship series to overtime.
Kosuke Takeuchi then committed a huge blunder when he fouled Keve Aluma while taking the potential game-tying three with 0.6 seconds to go.
Aluma made the first of his three free throws, but heartbreakingly, he missed the second, leaving him no choice but to intentionally miss the third in hopes of a follow-up to force OT.
Vic Law got the offensive rebound off the intentional miss, but Grant Jarrett swatted away his putback attempt as time ran out on the Golden Kings.
DJ Newbill, adjudged as the Finals MVP, led the now three-time champion Utsunomiya with 19 points, five rebounds, and one steal.
Makoto Hiejima added 17 points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Law had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and one assist for Ryukyu, which led for most of the game but lost steam in the fourth quarter as the team failed to win its second B.League title in three years.
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