Soichiro Inoue drills the game-winner and offers the Koshigaya Alphas victory to ACL injury-hit Kai Sotto.
Kai Sotto remained in the hearts of the Koshigaya Alphas as the team dedicated their heart-stopping 91-89 overtime win over the Chiba Jets to the 7-foot-3 center Sunday.
Sotto, who was ruled out for the season after suffering an ACL injury, was given a shoutout by Soichiro Inoue after scoring the game-winner with five ticks left in the extra period.
In his post-game interview at center court, Inoue proclaimed: “Kai, we won!” as he was visibly emotional and motioned to his jersey — as he was also wearing Sotto’s jersey number 11 after the win, their first since Kai's injury was announced earlier in the week.
[RELATED: Kai Sotto describes ACL tear as "darkest day" of basketball career]
The dramatic victory came thanks to Inoue even as Koshigaya squandered a five-point lead, 86-81, with 2:58 left in overtime.
Inoue, who wears the number 75 on his jersey, was one of four Koshigaya players in double-digit figures with 17 points on a 6-of-10 shooting clip.
Kenshin Hoshikawa and Tim Soares had 19 markers each, as LJ Peak tallied a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards. He also had six assists.
Yuta Watanabe was the top scorer for Chiba in the losing effort with 30 points, six rebounds, and one assist.
The Koshigaya Alphas snapped a three-game losing streak with the win and are 9-21 for the season. The team notably lost Saturday's game to the Jets also on a game-winner.