Ryukyu Golden Kings Take Down Shiga Lakes 94-87 in B1 League Road Battle

The Ryukyu Golden Kings delivered a composed fourth-quarter performance on October 3, 2026, defeating the Shiga Lakes 94-87 in B1 League action at Shiga Daihatsu Arena. In a game that featured seven lead changes and six ties, Ryukyu’s late-game execution and rebounding proved decisive as the Golden Kings strengthened their early-season positioning in Japan’s top basketball division.

Shiga entered the contest looking to protect home court, but the visitors answered every run with timely three-point shooting and interior strength. The final score reflected the closeness of the contest: Ryukyu led by as many as 11 in the second half, while Shiga twice cut the deficit to four in the final five minutes.

Match Overview

Ryukyu started with pace, moving the ball quickly and attacking the paint for a 25-21 lead after the first quarter. Shiga responded behind Kiefer Ravena’s shot creation and DeQuan Jones’s activity around the rim, winning the second quarter 24-20 to send the teams into halftime tied 45-45.

The third quarter became the turning point. Ryukyu tightened its half-court defense, limited Shiga’s second-chance opportunities, and used an 11-2 run to build a double-digit cushion. The Golden Kings outscored Shiga 27-20 in the period, taking a 72-65 advantage into the fourth. Shiga fought back with a 10-4 spurt to make it 82-78 with just over four minutes remaining, but Ryukyu closed the game with a decisive 12-9 stretch, including six free throws in the final minute.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring

• Q1: Shiga Lakes 21, Ryukyu Golden Kings 25
• Q2: Shiga Lakes 24, Ryukyu Golden Kings 20
• Q3: Shiga Lakes 20, Ryukyu Golden Kings 27
• Q4: Shiga Lakes 22, Ryukyu Golden Kings 22
• Final: Shiga Lakes 87, Ryukyu Golden Kings 94

Key Moments

With the score tied at 45-45 early in the third, Ryukyu went on a 11-2 run over a three-minute span. Jack Cooley anchored the surge with two baskets inside and a pair of offensive rebounds, while Keita Imamura added a transition three from the right wing. That burst forced Shiga into a timeout and shifted the game’s momentum.

Shiga did not fade. Ravena scored or assisted on four straight possessions in the fourth, and a corner three from Yuto Nohmi brought the Lakes within 82-78. Ryukyu answered immediately: Imamura hit a step-back jumper, Cooley converted an and-one, and Ryuichi Kishimoto knocked down two free throws to push the lead back to 90-80. Shiga scored seven points in the final 90 seconds, but Ryukyu’s free-throw accuracy sealed the road win.

Tactical Story

Ryukyu won this game on the defensive glass and in the paint. The Golden Kings out-rebounded Shiga 42-34 and held a 44-36 edge in points in the paint. Their switching defense disrupted Shiga’s pick-and-roll rhythm, forcing the Lakes into contested mid-range jumpers rather than clean looks at the rim.

Offensively, Ryukyu leaned on Cooley’s interior presence to draw help defenders, then punished Shiga with ball reversal and open threes. The Golden Kings shot 18-of-22 from the free-throw line, while Shiga managed just 12-of-18. Turnovers also favored the visitors: Shiga committed 14, leading to 17 Ryukyu points, while Ryukyu gave the ball away only 10 times.

Standout Players

• Jack Cooley (Ryukyu Golden Kings): 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks. He controlled the paint and made crucial plays in the third-quarter run.
• Keita Imamura (Ryukyu Golden Kings): 19 points, 5 assists, 4 three-pointers. His shot-making in the fourth quarter kept Shiga at arm’s length.
• Ryuichi Kishimoto (Ryukyu Golden Kings): 14 points, 6 assists, 3 steals. A steady two-way performance from the backcourt.
• Kiefer Ravena (Shiga Lakes): 21 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds. He kept Shiga competitive with clutch shot creation.
• DeQuan Jones (Shiga Lakes): 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals. His athleticism gave Ryukyu problems in transition.

B1 League Standings and Season Impact

This is the type of road result that matters in the B1 League playoff race. Ryukyu showed the balance of a title contender: inside scoring, perimeter shooting, and late-game poise. The Golden Kings will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture, while Shiga must regroup after letting a home game slip away in the third quarter.

For Shiga, the loss highlights the need for better defensive rebounding and more efficient free-throw shooting in close games. The Lakes have the offensive talent to compete, but in a league as deep as B1, small margins decide standings position. Ryukyu, meanwhile, reinforced its reputation