FILE – Dwight Ramos and his Toyama Grouses teammates. B.LEAGUE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Toyama broke its two-game slide at the expense of struggling Shiga, 107-102, in its West Conference matchup in the 2021-22 Japan B.League season Saturday at the Lakestars’ home floor of Ukaruchan Arena in Otsu.
Dwight Ramos and the Grouses improved to a 5-12 record after moving on from their two straight defeats to the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Week 9 while the Lakestars and Kiefer Ravena slipped to their eighth loss defeat at 6-11.
Julian Mavunga filled the stat sheets with 37 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and one block to lead Toyama while Brice Johnson added 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Ramos also finished in double figures with 18 points and five rebounds.
Ovie Soko led Shiga with 25 points and 13 rebounds while Ravena added eight points, nine assists, and two steals off the bench.
THIRDY RETURNS
FILE – San-en’s Thirdy Ravena. B.LEAGUE PHOTO
Thirdy Ravena had a rude return after his suspension as San-En lost to East Conference leader Chiba, 101-89, at the NeoPhoenix’ home stadium of Toyohashi City Gymnasium in Aichi.
The NeoPhoenix have now lost nine straight games for a 3-13 record in the West while the Jets took a share of the lead at the East with Kawasaki at 13-4.
Josh Duncan led Chiba with 36 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists while John Mooney added 28 points and 19 boards.
Robert Carter finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and six assists for San-En as Thirdy returned from his two-game suspension with 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Ibaraki got subjected to an absolute beating losing to Shimane, 87-59, in its inter-conference meeting at the Robots’ home court of Adastria Mito Arena.
The Robots stayed at the bottom of the East at 2-15 while the Susanoo Magic tied Mikawa at the second spot in the West at 12-5.
Perrin Buford led Shimane with 23 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
Hirao Atsunobu finished with 13 points and four rebounds to lead Ibaraki while Javi Gomez de Liaño had two points and three rebounds.
FILE – Niigata’s Kobe Paras. Photo from B.League
Niigata and Kobe Paras’ terrible run of form continued as they dropped their 14th straight game, losing to the Sunrockers, 79-70, at Aoyama Gakuin Memorial Hall in Tokyo.
The Albirex BB tied Ibaraki at the bottom of the East at 2-15 while Shibuya improved to 13-4 and take a share of the top seed in the conference.
Takahashi Koyo had 15 points to lead Shibuya while James Michael McAdoo and Ishii Kosuke added 12 points apiece.
Rosco Allen finished with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Albirex BB as Kobe Paras struggled for three points, on 1-of-6 shooting, and three boards.
Shinshu and Matthew Aquino bowed to Gunma, 90-87, in their inter-conference matchup at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
The Brave Warriors slid to a 9-8 record in the West while the Crane Thunders have the same card in the East.
Justin Keenan had 21 points and six rebounds to lead Gunma while Michael Parker and Trey Jones added 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Josh Hawkinson led Shinshu with 19 points as Aquino went scoreless in less than four minutes of play.