The Tokyo Z Earthfriends suffered the same fate from their first match against the Fighting Eagles Nagoya with another 79-52 beatdown in Division II of the Japan B.League at the Ota City General Gymnasium Sunday, Oct. 24.
Evans Luke led Nagoya with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Brian Qvale contributed 13 markers, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.
Reiya Nozaki also added 10 points, five assists, three steals, and one rebound for the Eagles.
Tokyo never recovered from its early slump as Nagoya ended its fiery first quarter with a 21-9 lead from the get-go.
Trailing 41-23 in the third period, the Earthfriends finally found their groove and unloaded an 8-2 run to cut the deficit by 12 points, 41-31.
But that would be the closest Tokyo can get as Nagoya answered with a 9-2 blitz of its own to lead as many as 19 points and pull away for good with more than two minutes to go in the third quarter, 52-33.
Juan Gomez De Liano was not fielded this time due to a quad injury as Tokyo relied on Mark Eddie Noelia anew, who posted a double-double performance of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.
Tokyo remained as the only winless squad in Division II with a 0-8 record while Nagoya took the solo lead at 7-1 slate.
The Earthfriends will face No. 5 East District team Fukushima Firebonds next weekend.