What Happened 

The Utsunomiya Brex bounced back from their EASL Tip Off loss two weeks earlier, defeating the visiting Seoul SK Knights 97–89 to clinch their first EASL win of the 2025–26 season.

In an offense-powered first quarter, the two teams combined for more than 50 points before the Brex took control midway through the second. Starting the period up seven, Utsunomiya pushed to its first double-digit lead on a D.J. Newbill three with 6:31 left before halftime. By the start of the third quarter, the home team’s lead had grown to 54–36.

For SK, new Asian import Arvin Tolentino led the team with 29 points on six made 3s and shot better than 60 percent from the field. Jameel Warney, who led EASL in scoring in 2023–24 at 35.0 points per game, added 23.

Though the Knights pulled within 85–75 with just under four minutes remaining, the Brex duo of Newbill and big man Isaac Fotu kept their Group A rivals comfortably at bay the rest of the way.

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What It Means 

Utsunomiya’s home opener win moves the Brex into second in Group B, behind the P. LEAGUE+’s Taipei Fubon Braves.

Meanwhile, Seoul SK sits at the bottom of Group A at 0-1 after dropping its season opener. Hong Kong Eastern, the group’s remaining team, does not play until Nov. 12.

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EASL Player of the Game 

Isaac Fotu was unstoppable against Seoul SK, pouring in a game-high 30 points. He added eight rebounds, six assists, and a game-high plus-minus of +17. Fotu shot a ridiculous 76.5% from the field, converting 13 of his 17 attempts.

Working frequently in pick-and-rolls with Newbill or handing off near the perimeter, relocating, and then calling for the ball, Fotu earned most of his points at the rim on layups. At the 6:47 mark of the first quarter, the New Zealand international also knocked down his first three of the 2025–26 season.

After today’s game, Fotu sits at 57 total points on the season, second most in the league behind his teammate Newbill.

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Super Statistic: 27 

Utsunomiya’s 27 assists were the most by any team in Week 2 of EASL 2025–26. The Brex moved the ball all night, finding the open man for clean looks from 3.

Take the Brex’s first offensive possession, for example: after winning the tip, Fotu handed to Makoto Hiejima, who swung to Gavin Edwards at the top of the key. Edwards immediately handed to a curling Shinji Takashima, then ran a pick-and-pop and buried an uncontested jumper after a Seoul SK miscommunication.

It was just that kind of game for Utsunomiya.

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Up Next 

The Utsunomiya Brex get a break after playing back-to-back league weeks and will not play again until Dec. 17, when they travel to South Korea for a rematch with Seoul SK.

The Knights return home next, hosting Hong Kong Eastern at Jamsil Student Gymnasium on Nov. 12.