FILE – Niigata’s Kobe Paras. Photo from B.League
MANILA, Philippines—Niigata continued its slide, losing to Ryukyu, 71-63, in its inter-conference matchup in the 2021-22 Japan B.League season Sunday at City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka.
The Albirex BB and Kobe Paras have now lost eight straight games as they dipped to a 2-9 record in the East Conference while the Golden Kings stayed at the top spot of the West Conference at 9-2.
Allen Durham jammed home a hammer that capped off the Golden Kings’ 13-0 run across the latter two quarters to take a 60-49 lead with 6:23 to play in the fourth.
That run ultimately allowed Ryukyu to hold off the Albirex BB as Paras and his teammates never closed the gap with the nearest they got at 69-61 with 2:22 to play.
Dwayne Evans led the Golden Kings with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal while Durham added 16 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Rosco Allen had 15 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and one block to lead Niigata while Nohmi Auto added 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from deep.
Paras finished with five points on 2-of-7 shooting.