Carter, Choi combine for 45 points
Anyang Jungkwanjang was once again unable to overcome the barrier of Japan’s Chiba Jets.
Anyang Chung-kwan dropped a 98-115 decision to the Chiba Jets in Group A of the 2023-2024 East Asian Super League (EASL) on Tuesday at Funabashi Arena in Japan.
With the loss, ChungKwanJang improves to 2-2 in the group with two wins and two losses against Chiba. Chiba, last season’s Japan B League runners-up, cruised through their six group games to secure first place in the group. They have already qualified for the semifinals.
Jung Kwan-jang fought well against Chiba early in the game. He lost the rebounding battle, but fought back with quick attacks and high concentration. The first quarter ended with the score tied at 24-24 on a buzzer-beater by Robert Carter Jr.
The second quarter was more of the same for Kwanjang. Kwanjang’s outside offense came alive to push the lead to 40-33, but the Jets also scored from the outside midway through the period. However, back-to-back steals and back-to-back three-pointers by Choi Sung-won gave the Jets a 55-50 lead at the end of the first half.
The tide turned in the second half. Ziva opened the third quarter with a three-point firecracker to cut the deficit to 63-57, and began to dominate the rebounding and outside game. Jeong Kwan-jang pulled within 74-86 when Park Ji-hoon’s quarter-time buzzer beater hit the rim.
The final quarter was no different. Ziva continued to push Kwanjang with bold outside attacks and strong offensive rebounds. Chung was virtually out of the game midway through the fourth quarter, down 88-105, and pulled Carter Jr. to close out the game. The game ended with Ziva’s head-to-head winning streak intact.
Carter Jr. led the way with 27 points, while Choi Sung-won made his presence felt with 18 points and eight assists. Bae Byung-jun added 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the team from losing. Jeong Kwan-jang struggled in the rebounding battle, being outrebounded 22-45.
Chiba spared their ace Yuki Togashi and still managed to catch Chung Kwan-jang. Fumio Nishimura poured in 24 points on eight three-pointers, while Ren Kanechika chipped in 23 points. Xavier Cooks and John Mooney added 28 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, respectively.
Jungkwanjang now has two games left in the group stage. They face TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippines on Nov. 24, followed by Fubon in Taiwan on Nov. 7. Both games are away from home.