The Hitachi Sunrockers completed a 2-0 sweep of the Chiba Jets with an 86-60 win in their best-of-three first-round series at Ota Citu General Gymnasium on Saturday.
Hitachi center Josh Heytvelt racked up 22 points and eight rebounds while Joji Takeuchi had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards for the Eastern Conference club, which will take on the winner of the Mitsubishi-Toyota series next weekend in the second round.
Brex 79, Dragonflies 76
In Utsunomiya, the Link Tochigi Brex edged the Hiroshima Dragonflies in Game 1 of their series. Guard/forward Takatoshi Furukawa came through and scored 20 points for the Brex.
Alvark 91, Diamond Dolphins 81
In Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, American Jeff Gibbs had 25 points and 17 rebounds and shooter Keijuro Matsui followed with 19 points as the visiting Toyota Alvark took the first game of their series against the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins.
Amath M’Baye, a former University of Oklahoma player, accumulated 29 points and 13 rebounds for Mitsubishi.
SeaHorses 90, Brave Thunders 58
In Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Aisin's Kosuke Kanamaru hit seven 3-pointers for a game-high 24 points as the SeaHorses crushed the injury-ridden Toshiba Brave Thunders 90-58 in the first game of their matchup.
Young guard Makoto Hiejima chipped in with 17 points while Gavin Edwards put up 16 points and 12 rebounds for the 'Horses.