Toyama Grouses’ Dwight Ramos. TOYAMA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Toyama couldn’t pull off an upset, losing to perennial contender Ryukyu, 95-88, in the 2021-22 Japan B.League season Saturday at Toyama Prefectural West Sports Center.
Dwight Ramos, who made his second straight start for the Grouses, finished with 16 points, one steal, and one block in a lossing effort.
The four-time BJ League champion Golden Kings and the Grouses, who have yet to win a major trophy, were locked in a deadlock at 82 with 3:28 to play before Kishimoto Ryuichi helped his team create some separation.
Kishimoto drove the paint to score back-to-back field goals to give Ryukyu a slim 93-88 lead with 13 seconds left.
Tashiro Naoki then picked off Julian Mavunga’s pass allowing Jack Cooley to convert on the game’s final basket with two seconds to play.
Dwayne Evans had a game-high 25 points with seven rebounds to lead the Golden Kings, who improved to a 5-2 record.
Joshua Smith led the 0-7 Grouses with 19 points and six boards.