FILE — Thirdy Ravena for NeoPhoenix in Japanese B.League. SAN EN PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Thirdy Ravena’s late push wasn’t enough as San-En collapsed against Ryukyu, 85-80, in the Japanese B.League at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium.
The Golden Kings, one of the top teams in the league, forced the NeoPhoenix into three turnovers in the final minute preventing an upset loss at the hands of their struggling opponents.
Ravena gave the NeoPhoenix a 77-76 lead with 1:40 to play after hitting one of his two free throws but Keita Imamura responded with a big three-pointer that gave Ryukyu an 81-77 buffer with 50.4 seconds left.
Ravena answered with a triple of his own with 24.2 seconds remaining cutting the Golden Kings’ lead to three, 83-80, but Dwayne Evans was calm at the stripe to give Ryukyu the five-point lead with 22.8 seconds to play.
Without Kyle Hunt, Ravena made sure his touches connected and he finished with 15 points on 3-of-4 shooting from deep but the NeoPhoenix dipped to a 12-43 record.
Stevan Jelovac led San-En’s offense with 22 points and seven rebounds while Hayato Kawashima added 15 points of his own.
Evans finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists for the 38-11 Golden Kings as they notched their spot in the playoffs.