Thirdy Ravena, San-En win rematch vs Niigata

San-en NeoPhoenix

Photo from San-en NeoPhoenix

MANILA, Philippines—San-En avenged its loss and stole one from Niigata, 85-82, in its inter-conference matchup in the B.League Sunday at Hamamatsu Arena in Japan.

The NeoPhoenix are now in .500 territory with a 2-2 record in the West Conference while the Albirex BB have the same win-loss card in the East.

Niigata took the first meeting of the season between the two teams, 77-64.

Thirdy Ravena had a difficult shooting performance from deep, going 1-of-7 from the three-point area, but hustled his way to 13 points, nine rebounds, one steal, and one block for San-En.

Kobe Paras didn’t fare any better as he went 4-of-13 from the field for 11 points with three rebounds and three assists for Niigata.

San-En held a slim 74-71 lead at the 2:00 mark before Matsuwaki Yoshiyuki drilled two late-game threes to put his team up 80-75 with 22 seconds to play.

Robert Carter would preserve the NeoPhoenix’s five-point lead, 82-77, when he converted two free throws with 15 seconds remaining.

Carter finished with a team-high 22 points, going 7-of-7 from the line, to lead the NeoPhoenix while Elias Harris had an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Rosco Allen had a game-high 24 points with 15 rebounds and six assists to lead the Albirex BB.

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