Sendai 89ERS, ranked 7th in the B1 East District, lost to the 6th ranked Ibaraki Robots 68-72. The game allowed a 6-18 lead in the first quarter (Q), but recovered in the second and third quarters to 50-49. However, in the 4th quarter, head coach Hiroki Fujita (HC = 36) was sent off after two technical fouls (fouls taken against unsportsmanlike behavior and behavior). Taking that opportunity, the initiative of the game was taken away, and the difference was 13 points at one point. At the end, they narrowed the gap to 4 points, but suffered a painful defeat to their rivals who were fighting to stay in the last home game in March.

The 4th quarter of the game, an unexpected pitfall was waiting. 14 seconds into the start, Rashawn Thomas (28), who has returned from injury, is fouled. HC Fujita received the first technical foul over the decision. After that, Fujita HC was furious. He was sent off for his second technical foul for hitting the bench and made five free throws. All of them were decided and the game was reversed to 50-54, and the flow of the game was tilted to the opponent.

After Fujita HC left, assistant coach Ochiai Yoshiro (AC = 40) took command. Ochiai AC looked back, saying, “Even in that situation, each and every player stepped up and went in a positive direction. That’s the form of basketball that Sendai must aim for.” , players struggle. The booster’s voice “huang support”, which was revived from the 8th, was also hot, and Ibaraki was one step away.

Thomas, who was registered on the injured list on January 16 due to a dislocated fracture of his right fifth finger, said, “I’m tired…” returning to competitive action after 81 days. He reflected on his performance of 11 points and 7 rebounds, saying, “I need to improve my condition.” Although he is still not in his best form, the return of the scorer who boasts the team’s highest average score of 17.2 points per game is undoubtedly a plus for the team. Taking advantage of the frustrating defeat, we will step up again to victory.[Hamamoto Kamui]