Kobe Paras for Niigata Albirex BB. NIIGATA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Niigata finally stopped its seemingly interminable slide, escaping Ibaraki 79-76, in the Japan B.League Saturday at City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka.
It was Niigata’s first win since it beat San-En on October 9.
Rosco Allen hit the biggest shot of the game—a 3-pointer to put the Albirex BB ahead, 78-76, with 20.2 seconds left. He then sank a free throw to give his team a three-point cushion.
The Robots had the chance to force overtime but failed to even get a crack at the basket.
Allen led the Albirex BB with 26 points while Kobe Paras contributed 10 points.
Niigata, which won just for the third time in 30 games, hopes to make it two in a row against Ibaraki on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ray Parks had 20 points in a losing effort as Nagoya (21-9) fell to Utsunomiya (18-9), 93-79, at Dolphin’s Arena.
The Diamond Dolphins have won 12 of their last 13 games before the loss.