Ehime Orange Vikings Edge Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka 94-87 in B2 League Road Test

Fukuoka, Japan — The Ehime Orange Vikings left Fukuoka with a hard-earned 94-87 victory over the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in B2 League action on Saturday, October 10, 2026. In a game that was tied at halftime and still hanging in the balance midway through the fourth quarter, Ehime found the decisive plays down the stretch to secure an important road win.

The final scoreline reflects what was a competitive, physical contest between two teams navigating the early stages of the B2 League season. Fukuoka’s home crowd saw the Rizing Zephyr build momentum in bursts, but Ehime’s poise, perimeter shot-making, and late-game execution proved to be the difference.

Match Overview

Tip-off came at 15:05 local time, and both teams opened with energy befitting an early-season B2 League matchup. Ehime started slightly faster, using ball movement and transition opportunities to take a three-point lead after the first quarter. Fukuoka responded in the second period with a more controlled half-court attack, tying the game at 44-44 going into the locker room.

• First quarter: Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka 21, Ehime Orange Vikings 24
• Second quarter: Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka 23, Ehime Orange Vikings 20
• Third quarter: Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka 22, Ehime Orange Vikings 24
• Fourth quarter: Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka 21, Ehime Orange Vikings 26
• Final: Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka 87, Ehime Orange Vikings 94

How the Game Unfolded

The first half was a story of runs and responses. Ehime’s guards did an excellent job pushing the pace early, while Fukuoka leaned on its frontcourt to score inside and draw fouls. Neither team could create a double-digit advantage, and the halftime score of 44-44 felt like a fair reflection of the opening 20 minutes.

The third quarter followed a similar pattern. Fukuoka briefly took the lead behind a pair of three-pointers from the wing, but Ehime answered with a 7-0 run of its own. The Orange Vikings entered the final period with a two-point cushion, setting up a tense fourth quarter in which every possession carried extra weight.

Key Moments in the Fourth Quarter

Ehime opened the fourth with a 10-2 surge that turned a narrow lead into a 78-70 advantage. The run was sparked by back-to-back three-pointers and a transition layup after a Fukuoka turnover. Fukuoka refused to fold, cutting the deficit to three points with just over two minutes remaining after a strong drive and a foul.

From there, the Orange Vikings executed their late-game plan almost perfectly. They slowed the tempo, attacked the rim when the defense overextended, and knocked down free throws. A key offensive rebound and put-back in the final minute effectively sealed the result, pushing the lead back to seven and forcing Fukuoka to foul.

Tactical Story: Ehime’s Late-Game Execution

Ehime’s half-court offense was at its best when the ball touched the paint before swinging to the perimeter. That inside-out approach generated open looks from beyond the arc and forced Fukuoka’s defense to rotate repeatedly. The Orange Vikings also won the rebounding battle, which gave them extra possessions in a game where scoring runs were hard to sustain.

Fukuoka, meanwhile, relied heavily on its half-court sets and mid-range jumpers. The Rizing Zephyr moved the ball well at times, but costly turnovers in the fourth quarter and a cold stretch from three-point range prevented them from completing the comeback. Defensively, Fukuoka struggled to contain Ehime’s pick-and-roll action, especially when the Orange Vikings’ guards turned the corner and forced help defenders to commit.

Standout Players

Several players delivered strong individual performances in a game that featured balanced scoring on both sides.

• Takumi Nishioka (Ehime Orange Vikings): 24 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 three-pointers. Nishioka controlled the tempo and made the biggest shots of the fourth quarter.
• Marcus Edwards (Ehime Orange Vikings): 22 points and 11 rebounds. Edwards was a constant presence on the glass and scored efficiently around the rim.
• Ryota Sasaki (Ehime Orange Vikings): 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His interior defense changed several Fukuoka possessions late in the game.
• Shun Matsumoto (Ehime Orange Vikings): 12 points off the bench, including two timely three-pointers in the second half.
• Kota Yamashita (Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka): 21 points and 6 assists. Yamashita kept Fukuoka within striking distance with his shot creation.
• DeAndre Brown (Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka): 19