What Happened:

Just when they needed it, the championship mettle of Nagasaki Velca was on full display, as they won on the road versus Macau Hou Chon, 97-76

The current champions in the B.LEAGUE, Velca was caught in a dogfight with Hou Chon that they couldn’t escape from. However, Velca would break the game wide open in the fourth quarter, as they outscored their opponents by 13 points en route to the victory.

Timely baskets by Masaaki Morikawa, Levi Randolph and Ko Kumagai would be the difference maker in this ballgame, as Hou Chon was simply unable to keep up with the firepower of the visiting squad.

Morikawa led the way with 22 points for Nagasaki, while Nagano added 15 and Kumagai chipped in 10. 

Davon Dillard paced Hou Chon with 20 points, while Damian Chongqui delivered 15 points in the losing cause. ‍

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What It Means:‍

Nagasaki Velca picked up their first win after a somewhat surprising loss in their first game in the EASL. There would be no fourth quarter collapse this time, as the squad showed that they were ready to right the ship after a shaky start to the season.

For Hou Chon, though they have yet to grab a win in the EASL, their team looks more formidable with the addition of Dillon Stith and Princepal Singh. Time will tell when Hou Chon will grab the breakthrough win.

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Player of the Game:‍

In a game where Nagasaki had several key players unavailable, they needed several players to step up, and that’s exactly what  happened in the win. Morikawa would prove to be the story of the game, as he emerged with 22 points, highlighted by 5 triples. Morikawa is recovering from a devastating ACL tear that sidelined him during the 25-26 B.LEAGUE season, and it’s performances like these that signify that he’s on the way back.‍

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Super Statistic: 18 Three Pointers Made‍

Thus far, it’s looking like the team that catches from the perimeter will have EASL success.

Nagasaki Velca put up a whopping 40 attempts from the perimeter, recording 18 made triples at a 45%. clip. Hou Chon was simply unable to keep up, as they only notched 9/31 at 29%

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Next Up ‍

Macau Hou Chon will embark on another road trip this time to South Korea, as they battle with Busan KCC Egis on November 5.

Nagasaki on the other hand will have December off, and they will resume EASL action on December 9 against the Taipei Fubon Braves.