They could find no opening on offense, could not withstand Sannoh's onslaught on defense, and were completely outmatched even in the battle for rebounds.
Every lost possession, every basket Sannoh scored, struck the Jinbao University players' hearts like a sledgehammer.
They fought with everything they had to mount a counterattack, but against Shohoku's overwhelming strength, all their efforts seemed utterly powerless.
After all, Jinbao University had reached the quarterfinals on its own merits. Yet before Sannoh, they were like stones worn smooth of every edge, unable to fight back at all.
The courtside clock ticked away, second by second, as the gap in the score continued to widen. The grim looks on the Jinbao University players' faces gradually gave way to despair, and their tightly clenched fists slowly loosened with each successive failure.
Meanwhile, Sannoh's players remained fired up. After every basket, they exchanged high fives, their eyes filled with confidence and composure, as though victory were already in the bag.
In the stands, the Ryonan players kept their eyes fixed on the court, their expressions shifting with the course of the game.
Watching the slaughter unfolding below, Yueye Hongming exclaimed in disbelief, "You've got to be kidding, right?"
"I knew Shohoku was strong, but isn't this a little too ridiculous?"
"Jinbao University looks like a bunch of kids playing house. They can't stop them at all!"
Ikegami Liang'er spoke calmly. "Jinbao University stood out among all those teams and made it to the quarterfinals. They shouldn't be this weak!"
"Are we sure Jinbao University isn't just too weak?"
Uozumi frowned as he voiced his doubts.
He folded his arms across his chest, a trace of confusion in his eyes. As a center, he could clearly see how helpless Jinbao University's center was against Sannoh's. Whether fighting for rebounds or