Shinshu did not have the legs to keep pace with Utsunomiya late, suffering a 63-72 loss in the 2021-22 B.League season, Saturday at White Ring.
Tied at 50-all, a Hironori Watanabe triple triggered a 10-3 spurt to give Brex the lead for good.
Makoto Hiejima then gained the hot hand, nailing the big buckets to stop the Brave Warriors’ run.
Hiejima scored 10 of his 19 points in the final frame to lead Utsunomiya to a 10-5 record.
Isaac Fotu got 14 points while Josh Scott grabbed 14 rebounds. Chase Fieler went 4-of-7 from the field will 11 points.
Brandon Jawato was not lined up for the game.
Yuta Okada, fresh off his Akatsuki Five debut last weekend, paced Shinshu with 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting.
Anthony McHenry added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Brave Warriors, who fell to 9-6.
Matthew Aquino had one rebound in three minutes of action.
The two squads face off again tomorrow.
