The Ryukyu Golden Kings continued their impressive run by defeating the Ibaraki Robots 82-67, marking their fourth consecutive victory at the Okinawa Arena on January 4, 2025.
Holding the top position in the B League's Western Division, the Kings showcased their strength against the Eastern Division's seventh-ranked Robots, as the match attracted record attendance. With 8,635 fans filling the arena—a new high for the regular B League season—the atmosphere was electric as the home team sought to establish dominance.
During the match, both teams experienced fluctuated momentum, but the Kings implemented rigorous defensive strategies, stifling the Robots' scoring opportunities. The first quarter ended favorably for the Kings, thanks to Ryuichi Kishimoto's initial contributions and Vic Law's thrilling buzzer-beater three-pointer, helping them secure a 23-14 lead.
“We started the year with victory, and I hope we can finish the season the same way,” Kishimoto stated, expressing his determination to keep the winning streak alive.
The second quarter mirrored the first, with the Kings applying relentless pressure. Even though there were moments when their shooting struggled to find the net, the Kings' defense proved pivotal, limiting the Robots to just 4 points over 6 minutes. By halftime, the Kings maintained their lead with the score sitting at 42-30.
After the break, the Kings accelerated their efforts, securing four consecutive points with swift transitions following key turnovers. Alex Kirk, performing outstandingly, led his team with 20 points at 83.3% field goal accuracy. Despite the Robots attempting to close the gap at various points, the Kings never released their grip on the game.
"Last season was tough for me as I couldn’t contribute much due to injuries, but I’m feeling good this season and want to keep it going,” Kirk reflected on his comeback. He added, “We were runners-up last season, and it was frustrating. This time we want to achieve the ultimate victory together as a team.”
Despite their success, Kings' head coach Daichi Okegawa noted areas for improvement, pointing out the inconsistent performance, particularly from the second unit. “The starting players performed well, but we need to assess our teamwork and execution throughout the entire game to align with our basketball philosophy, especially if we aspire to championship titles,” he emphasized.
On the other side, Ibaraki's coach, Chris Holme, acknowledged the shortcomings during the match, particularly during the second half where he felt their intensity waned. "We had moments of strong play, but we lost momentum as we struggled to contain the Kings’ strategy. We need to tighten our defense and get back to our fundamental strengths to see different outcomes moving forward,” he conceded.
With this victory, the Kings elevated their record to 20 wins and 7 losses for the season, reinforcing their position as strong contenders not only for the B League championship but also as potential players for the Emperor’s Cup and East Asia Super League title.
Looking forward, the Kings are scheduled to meet the Robots again on January 5, 2025, as they aim for another victory to maintain their impressive streak and capitalize on the momentum built from their latest triumph.