The Ryukyu Golden Kings began 2013 the same way they ended last year, the bj-league's premier team proving that point against one of its foes.
Ryukyu completed a series sweep on Thursday afternoon in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, beating the Kyoto Hannaryz 87-64.
The reigning champion Golden Kings (19-3) overwhelmed the visitors with a splendid display from inside the 3-point arc. Led by Narito Namizato (23 points, 9-for-16 shooting, including 7-for-11 on 2s) and Georgia Tech alum Anthony McHenry (20 points, 10-for-11 on 2s), the host shot 62 percent (31-for-50) on 2-pointers, including Dzaflo Larkai's 7-for-13. Five other Golden Kings shot 50 percent or better from inside the arc; in fact, only Terrance Woodbury, the team's leading scorer this season (17.9 points per game), made less than half of his 2-point shots. Woodbury was 0-for-3 from inside the arc and 0-for-5 overall in a zero-point, four-foul, nine-minute outing.