Analysis · Japanese B.League, Round 8

Utsunomiya Brex close out Gunma with a 27-20 fourth quarter

Gunma led after three quarters, but the Brex finished stronger to win 83-80 at home despite 22 points from Stanley Johnson off the bench.

By Nicholas Crow, General Manager, TeamKeysPublished 2026-10-223 min read

G, Gunma · Utsunomiya Brex 83-80 Gunma

Stanley Johnson

Gunma Crane ThundersJapanese B.League

Points

22

Rebounds

8

Assists

6

Threes

4/11

PIR

23

Source: TeamKeys, 2026-10-19

How Utsunomiya Brex won the fourth quarter against Gunma

Utsunomiya Brex won this game in the final quarter, outscoring Gunma 27-20 to turn a deficit after three quarters into an 83-80 home win. It was their best scoring quarter of the night, and it came when they needed it most.

Gunma had the best individual player on the floor and still could not hold on. Stanley Johnson came off the bench for 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in 29 minutes, with a PIR of 23.

Johnson shot 4/11 from three and 4/4 from the line, above his season average of 20.3 points. Yet Gunma managed 20 points in the fourth, and the hosts' 27 settled a game decided by 3 points.

Score by quarter

Quarter	Utsunomiya Brex	Gunma
Q1	16	27
Q2	21	14
Q3	19	19
Q4	27	20

Utsunomiya recover from a 27-16 first quarter

The second quarter set up the finish: after losing the first 27-16, Utsunomiya won the second 21-14 to pull the game back within reach. That response meant the fourth quarter could decide it.

The third quarter finished level at 19-19, so Gunma still carried a lead into the last period. Their shooting had done much of the work, with Kenny Asano scoring 11 points in 16 minutes on 3/3 from three.

Kazuki Hosokawa added 14 points with 3/5 from deep, while Kerry Blackshear Jr. scored 13 and blocked 2 shots. Gunma's perimeter threat kept them ahead until the Brex found their closing gear.

Isaac Fotu and Otis Frazier III carried the Brex

Isaac Fotu led Utsunomiya with 19 points and 7 rebounds in 33 minutes, converting 6/7 two-pointers. Otis Frazier III gave them 15 points and 5 steals off the bench in 30 minutes.

Frazier's 5 steals were the most by any player in the game, and his 2/4 from three added range to Fotu's work inside. Fotu also went 4/5 from the free-throw line to finish with a PIR of 18.

Trey Kell, who ranks 15th in the league by TeamKeys Rating, had a difficult shooting night at 1/7 inside the arc. He still produced 15 points and 6 assists, going 7/7 from the line, while Gavin Edwards added 9.

Best players of the game

Player	Points	PIR
Stanley Johnson (Gunma)	22	23
Isaac Fotu (Utsunomiya Brex)	19	18
Otis Frazier III (Utsunomiya Brex)	15	15
Trey Kell (Utsunomiya Brex)	15	13
Kenny Asano (Gunma)	11	12
Kerry Blackshear Jr. (Gunma)	13	11

What the 83-80 result means for Utsunomiya and Gunma

The win lifts Utsunomiya Brex to 4-5, 16th of 26 in the B.League, while Gunma drop to 6-3 and sit 7th. The Brex host form of W, L, L, W, L heading into their next game.

Utsunomiya face Shinshu Brave Warriors on 24 October, looking to build on a hard-earned result. Gunma's form now reads W, L, W, L, L, with Altiri Chiba next on 26 October.

At the top, Hiroshima are 9-0 and Alvark Tokyo 8-1, with Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 7-0 in first. Gunma's defeat leaves them chasing that leading group rather than joining it.

All figures come from the official box score and league standings for round 8 of the 2026/2027 Japanese B.League regular season.

Questions people ask

What was the score of Utsunomiya Brex vs Gunma Crane Thunders?

Utsunomiya Brex beat Gunma Crane Thunders 83-80 at home in round 8 of the Japanese B.League on 19 October 2026. The hosts won the fourth quarter 27-20 after Gunma had led following three quarters, settling a game decided by 3 points.

Who was the top scorer in Utsunomiya Brex vs Gunma?

Stanley Johnson of Gunma was the top scorer with 22 points off the bench in 29 minutes, adding 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Isaac Fotu led Utsunomiya Brex with 19 points, shooting 6/7 from two-point range.

What were the quarter scores in Utsunomiya Brex vs Gunma?

With Utsunomiya Brex listed first, the quarters finished 16-27, 21-14, 19-19 and 27-20. Gunma took the opening quarter clearly, the Brex replied in the second, the third was level and the hosts won the game in the fourth.

When do Utsunomiya Brex and Gunma play next?

Utsunomiya Brex, now 4-5 and 16th of 26, play Shinshu Brave Warriors on 24 October 2026. Gunma Crane Thunders, 6-3 and 7th after this defeat, take on Altiri Chiba on 26 October 2026 in the Japanese B.League.

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