B2 Fukuoka | Led in the first half but conceded a comeback in the second, losing to Nara 82-84 in a close match

The "Resona Group B.LEAGUE 2025-26 Season [Rising Zephyr Fukuoka vs. Bambitious Nara]" game held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, resulted in a loss for Fukuoka with a score of "Fukuoka 82-84 Nara".

【Game Results】

【Fukuoka】82-84【Nara】

1Q 17-20

2Q 26-11

3Q 15-23

4Q 24-30

【Game Commentary】

＜First Half＞

This was the final away game of the regular season. Fukuoka faced Game 1 against Bambitious Nara. In the opening moments, both teams struggled to make shots. Fukuoka actively attempted 3-point shots from their preferred outside positions but continued to be denied by the rim. Nara managed to score consecutive 3-pointers, extending their lead significantly. However, #23 Murakami sank a 3-pointer, and #30 Woodberry scored by capitalizing on Nara's turnovers, keeping Fukuoka in contention. Despite continuous points conceded from turnovers, preventing them from taking control, #32 Kano drew a foul for a basket count, shifting the momentum. Towards the end of the quarter, Woodberry hit a buzzer-beating deep three, narrowing the deficit to 17-20, ending the 1st quarter trailing by three points.

Entering the 2nd quarter, #7 Nishikawa's 3-point shot ignited the counter-attack. #34 Aguilar and #20 Nakatani steadily accumulated points, and #24 Burrell's inside play finally led to a reversal. Furthermore, #0 Aida also made a 3-point shot. Nara responded immediately with outside shots, leading to a balanced game for a while. However, Nakatani's 3-point shot swung the momentum back to Fukuoka. They then stifled Nara's offense with pressure defense and gained control of the rebounds. Towards the end of the quarter, #8 Aoki hit a buzzer-beating bank shot three-pointer, and Fukuoka entered halftime with a 12-point lead at 43-31.

＜Second Half＞

The 3rd quarter began with Aida's 3-point shot. However, Nara's #0 Kobayashi scored consecutive points, shifting the momentum. Nevertheless, Woodberry made a 2-point shot, attempting to break the negative flow. But Nara's #24 Honda's 3-point shot gradually closed the gap. Fukuoka struggled against Nara's high-intensity defense, being forced to take difficult shots. Furthermore, consecutive 3-pointers conceded from turnovers gave Nara momentum. Despite this, #10 Suyao responded with consecutive points, and even when Nara's #7 Furumaki hit a 3-pointer to bring the score within one possession, Aida sank a 3-pointer to prevent losing momentum. Fukuoka tenaciously weathered Nara's fierce offense and entered the final quarter with a 4-point lead at 58-54.

In the 4th quarter, early in the period, Fukuoka struggled against Nara's outside shooting. Although Kano responded with a 3-point shot, Nara's #22 Petrov hit a 3-pointer, narrowing the deficit to one point. Woodberry scored to hold on, but Nara tied the game with a 3-pointer after a steal. Petrov then scored to take the lead, putting Fukuoka in a chasing position. Nara's #4 Blakefield scored a dunk after a turnover, and the momentum was with Nara heading into the official timeout. After the timeout, Fukuoka continued to struggle against Nara's defense, with Nara steadily adding points, extending the lead to a maximum of 8 points. However, Aguilar consistently made free throws, followed by Woodberry's 3-point shot, and then Aida scored after an Aguilar steal, as Fukuoka desperately tried to keep up. Woodberry completed a three-point play to narrow the gap to 2 points, but immediately conceded points after a turnover, allowing Nara to pull away again. With 36.4 seconds remaining, Woodberry's 3-point shot brought the score within 1 point, and the game remained tense until the end. However, free throws were awarded in a foul game, and turnovers in the final offensive possession prevented a comeback. Despite fighting hard until the end, Fukuoka suffered a disappointing 82-84 loss.

【Comments】

Head Coach Masato Fukushima

In the first half, we were able to somewhat contain the opponent's transition offense, and although we allowed some points to Blakefield, I believe we entered the game according to plan overall. However, in the second half, despite having prepared for pick-and-rolls leading to pop-outs from Petrov and Blakefield, our adjustments did not function effectively. Additionally, our feet stopped moving against the zone defense, we fell into their pace, and conceded points from turnovers, which was very disappointing. Furthermore, in the second half, we lost the ability to use Burrell, reducing our inside scoring options. We tried to create opportunities through Suyao, but it didn't work well. I feel responsible as a coach for not being able to find a way to attack the zone during the game. Towards the end, we created some good looks using the high post and scored consistently in the last two and a half minutes to make it a close game, but overall, it was a game that highlighted issues with our second-half adaptability.

Terence Woodberry Player

It was a frustrating loss, but I feel it was a game we could have won.

First and foremost, I think it's important to find a way to win within the game. With only a few games left in the season, we will do our best to finish with victories.

【Highlights】

【Watch the delayed broadcast on Basketball LIVE】

https://basketball.mb.softbank.jp/lives/505894?utm_source=club&utm_medium=RF&utm_campaign=club_RF_022

Keywords: Rising Zephyr Fukuoka, Rising Zephyr Fukuoka, Rising, Basketball, B.League, Fukuoka, Basketball, Bambitious Nara, Nara, Rot Arena Nara