Photo from Toyama Grouses Instagram
MANILA, Philippines—Ryukyu completed its comeback and denied Toyama, 83-80, of yet another win in their West Conference matchup in the 2021-22 Japan B.League season Sunday at Toyama Prefectural West Sports Center.
The Golden Kings were down 67-55 in the first minute of the fourth before they showed their class, going on a 22-6 surge punctuated by a triple from Tashiro Naoki with 2:23 to play.
Dwight Ramos tried pull the Grouses together and got them to within two, 79-77, with back-to-back buckets but timely free throws from Dwayne Evans and Kishimoto Ryuichi gave the Golden Kings an 82-77 cushion with 18 seconds remaining.
The Grouses have now lost all eight of their games while Ryukyu improved to 6-2.
Maki Hayato, who averaged barely three points a game this season, led the Golden Kings with 15 points while Kishimoto added 14 points.
Julian Mavunga had 24 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block to lead the Grouses.