Fighting Eagles Nagoya suffered a 95-76 defeat against Tokyo United Basketball Club during the opening game of Round 9 on Saturday, November 7, falling behind early and failing to close a double-digit deficit established in the first half.
Fighting Eagles Nagoya opened the game with #23 Ryuto Toraoka sinking a fadeaway jumper for the first points. Tokyo United responded quickly through aggressive drives and transition offense, drawing a foul and converting a basket-count to take a 5-2 lead within the first two minutes. #3 Trey Trinkle answered with a 3-pointer to level the score, but Tokyo United capitalized on defensive lapses with a back-cut score and an ensuing perimeter shot to pull ahead 10-5.
#3 Trinkle added a basket underneath, but Fighting Eagles Nagoya struggled to sustain momentum. Tokyo United extended its advantage through free throws and transition sequences, forcing a Fighting Eagles Nagoya timeout trailing 17-11 with 3:18 remaining in the opening period. Unforced turnovers hampered the visitors as the period closed, with Tokyo United stretching the margin to 24-16 behind late perimeter shooting from both sides, including a 3-pointer by #23 Toraoka in the final seconds.
The second quarter saw Tokyo United maintain its scoring rhythm from beyond the arc and mid-range jumpers. #12 Katsuki Hiramatsu drove effectively to the basket for Fighting Eagles Nagoya, scoring multiple times, but Tokyo United exploited the visitor’s defensive setups—including a brief zone defense—to preserve a comfortable cushion. #20 Lopez contributed points inside and from the foul line, though foul trouble accumulated for both squads. A late first-half surge by Tokyo United capitalized on consecutive Fighting Eagles Nagoya turnovers, sending the teams into halftime with the scoreboard reading 51-38.
Tokyo United seized control immediately after the interval, opening the third quarter with a quick scoring burst that forced an early Fighting Eagles Nagoya timeout at 55-38. Despite occasional responses from #23 Toraoka and perimeter shooting, Fighting Eagles Nagoya committed costly turnovers that fueled Tokyo United’s transition game. By the end of the third period, the deficit had widened to 79-49 following a flurry of fast-break points and 3-pointers from the hosts.
Fighting Eagles Nagoya mounted an offensive push in the final ten minutes, outscoring Tokyo United 27-16 in the fourth quarter. #3 Trinkle and #33 Max Fiedler combined for early points, and #12 Hiramatsu connected from distance. However, Tokyo United maintained a safe distance through continuous free-throw opportunities and drives. #3 Trinkle fouled out midway through the quarter after converting a basket-count play, and despite late efforts from #20 Lopez and #12 Hiramatsu, the final buzzer sounded at 95-76.
Fighting Eagles Nagoya utilized a starting lineup featuring #3 Trey Trinkle, #10 Taisho Sugimoto, #12 Katsuki Hiramatsu, #23 Ryuto Toraoka, and #33 Max Fiedler. The match marked the first game of the Round 9 series on November 7.
