First-Quarter Stumbles Give Way to Second-Quarter Dominance
Kanagawa deployed a dynamic offense led by rookie guard Ginnojo Yamaguchi and senior Harry Taiga Ito. That aggressive approach caught Meiji off guard initially, leaving Meiji trailing 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Meiji responded decisively in the second quarter, ramping up defensive intensity while finding gaps in Kanagawa’s backline. Meiji outscored their opponents 23-10 in the period, highlighted by a dunk from Daisei Tsukada and a three-pointer by Ryoma Sawada. That surge gave Meiji a 37-25 halftime advantage.
Maintaining Momentum Through the Final Buzzer
Kanagawa attempted a comeback in the second half, but Meiji kept control of the tempo. Although the third quarter finished with a close 15-14 scoreline in Meiji’s favor, Yuki Yamagiwa landed a three-pointer to extend the margin to 52-39 heading into the final frame.
Into Imasaka provided a late offensive spark off the bench, contributing 7 points in just 7 minutes and 31 seconds of playing time to help seal the 69-58 final score. Meiji utilized a deep rotation throughout the contest, with bench players stepping in to maintain defensive pressure and scoring efficiency.
Player Reactions and Roster Standouts After the Final Whistle
Speaking after the game, Imasaka addressed his physical development and his aggressive play under the basket. He noted that he consumes about 200 grams of protein daily alongside a weightlifting regimen of five to six sessions per week. That training has added roughly 15 kilograms to his frame since entering the university, building his confidence on the floor.
Shintaro Kizawa praised the collective effort of the roster, noting that players who see limited playing time showed exceptional discipline during daily practices. Kizawa emphasized that seeing those reserves perform successfully delivers a significant boost to the entire squad.
Kizawa Focuses on Next Fixture to Secure Third Place
The tournament schedule runs from Aug. 26 through Oct. 25 across venues including Yoyogi National Gymnasium Second Gymnasium.
Kizawa stated that the team remains focused entirely on the next fixture to secure a third-place finish under their own power.
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