San-en NeoPhoenix Use Second-Half Surge to Beat Ibaraki Robots 90-82

The San-en NeoPhoenix picked up a 90-82 road win over the Ibaraki Robots in B1 League play on September 25, 2026, using a dominant third quarter to seize control of a game that had been tightly contested through the opening 20 minutes. The NeoPhoenix outscored Ibaraki 28-18 in the third period and then held off a late Robots comeback to secure the eight-point victory.

With the win, San-en reinforces its early-season credentials in the B1 League, while Ibaraki is left with a home defeat despite a spirited fourth-quarter effort. The final score of 90-82 reflects a game that was decided by San-en’s shot-making and defensive adjustments after halftime.

Match Overview

Ibaraki started brightly in front of their home supporters, moving the ball well and knocking down open looks from the perimeter. The Robots led 24-21 after the first quarter, but San-en answered with a balanced second period to take a 44-42 lead into the locker room. The third quarter proved decisive, as the NeoPhoenix exploded for 28 points while limiting Ibaraki to just 18.

• First quarter: Ibaraki 24, San-en 21
• Second quarter: Ibaraki 18, San-en 23
• Third quarter: Ibaraki 18, San-en 28
• Fourth quarter: Ibaraki 22, San-en 18
• Final: Ibaraki Robots 82, San-en NeoPhoenix 90

Key Moments

The game turned early in the third quarter when San-en opened with a 12-2 run, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from the wing. That burst pushed the NeoPhoenix lead to 56-44 and forced Ibaraki into a timeout. The Robots never fully recovered from that stretch, though they did make things interesting late.

Ibaraki cut the deficit to 84-78 with under two minutes to play after a steal and fast-break dunk, but San-en responded with a clutch mid-range jumper and four free throws in the final minute. The NeoPhoenix’s execution in crunch time proved to be the difference in a game where both teams shot the ball well for long stretches.

Standout Performers

San-en’s offensive balance was on full display, with four players scoring in double figures. Guard Hiroto Sakamoto led the way with 21 points and six assists, while forward Daiki Yamamoto added 18 points and nine rebounds. Import center Chris Walker controlled the paint with 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, and reserve guard Ryo Taniguchi chipped in 13 points off the bench.

For Ibaraki, guard Shun Ito scored a game-high 24 points, including five three-pointers, and added five assists. Forward Kota Fujii recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while import guard Malik Johnson finished with 15 points and seven assists. The Robots’ bench contributed just 12 points, a factor that hurt them during San-en’s decisive third-quarter run.

Tactical Story

San-en’s halftime adjustment was clear: they switched more aggressively on screens and dared Ibaraki’s big men to beat them from the perimeter. The strategy worked, as the Robots shot just 4-of-14 from three in the second half after a hot start. Offensively, the NeoPhoenix attacked the rim relentlessly, drawing fouls and generating second-chance opportunities.

Ibaraki won the rebounding battle 38-36, but they turned the ball over 15 times, leading to 19 San-en points. The NeoPhoenix also shot 24-of-29 from the free-throw line, a significant advantage over Ibaraki’s 12-of-18 mark. That free-throw discrepancy, combined with San-en’s third-quarter explosion, ultimately decided the contest.

B1 League Table Impact

The victory moves San-en into a positive early position in the B1 League standings and signals that they will be a tough road opponent all season. For Ibaraki, the loss is a missed opportunity at home, but the Robots showed enough fight to suggest they can bounce back quickly.

San-en will look to build on their second-half dominance, while Ibaraki must find ways to generate more bench scoring and reduce turnovers. The head-to-head result gives San-en an early edge, and the teams will not have to wait long to see how the rematch unfolds later in the B1 League campaign.