On Shohoku High School's possession, Ryota Kudo held the ball at the top of the arc and signaled for Akagi to come up for a high screen.
Akagi's massive frame firmly blocked Tazawa. Kudo shook free using the screen, forcing Aiwa's center, Jun Koizumi, to switch onto him.
Facing the relatively slow-footed Jun Koizumi, Ryota Kudo made a swift crossover in front of his body and drove past him with ease.
A gap instantly opened in Aiwa's defense, leaving the paint exposed.
Dai Moroboshi and Masamichi Raiden both collapsed from the weak side to protect the basket. Just as they lunged toward Ryota Kudo-
Ryota Kudo flicked his wrist, and the basketball flew through the gap between them as if by magic-a bounce pass with exquisite power and placement.
The ball bounced off the floor and went straight into the hands of Kaede Rukawa, who lay in wait in the right corner, completely unguarded.
Kaede Rukawa caught the ball with no one within three meters of him. He steadied his breathing, bent his knees, jumped, and snapped his wrist! His movements were cold and fluid.
Swish!
A three!
48-47! Less than two minutes into the second half, Shohoku had cut the deficit to just one point.
"Kaede Rukawa! A three-pointer! Off a brilliant assist from Ryota Kudo!" the commentator shouted excitedly. "Shohoku's offense is flowing everywhere! Ryota Kudo's passes are precision-guided!"
Dai Moroboshi watched Kaede Rukawa retreat on defense, then glanced at the changing score on the scoreboard, his gaze utterly grave.
On Aiwa's possession, Tazawa struggled to bring the ball across half court, only to be met immediately by a two-man hedge from Miyagi and Kaede Rukawa.
Tazawa hurriedly passed to Masamichi Raiden, who had come to help. The moment Raiden caught it, Hisashi Mitsui pressed up on him.