B.League: Thirdy Ravena leads San-En to first win streak of season

FILE – San-en NeoPhoenix’s Thirdy Ravena. B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Thirdy Ravena provided the spark from the bench as San-En NeoPhoenix eluded Shinshu Brave Warriors, 72-69, to earn its first winning streak of the 2021-22 Japan B.League season on Wednesday at Kotobuki Arena Chikuma.

Ravena was instrumental off the bench with 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, joining hands with Robert Carter, who scored 18 from four three-points, to give the NeoPhoenix their first back-to-back wins this season.

Carter also had seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Elias Harris was also dominant inside the paint with 12 points, seven boards, and three assists following their 85-82 win over Nagoya last week.

San-En had a 70-61 lead from Carter’s corner trey but Shinshu trimmed it down to three after the back-to-back triples from Yuta Okada andJosh Hawkinson.

Thanks to Morihisa Yamauchi, who displayed grace under pressure nailing two of his crucial freethrows with 7.7 seconds left, to finish with 10 points and help NeoPhoenix improve to 7-30 record.

The Brave Warriors relied on Hawkinson’s 25-point and seven-rebound effort as they dropped to 19-20.

Nagoya Dolphins’ Ray Parks. B.LEAGUE PHOTO

Meanwhile, Ray Parks and Javi Gomez De Liano both played limited action but their respective Japanese squads were triumphant.

Parks was limited to three points after committing four fouls in 14 minutes of play but Coty Clarke unleashed 32 points, eight rebounds and four assists to lift Nagoya past  Hiroshima, 100-93, at Hiroshima Sun Plaza.

Clarke’s monstrous game ended the Diamond Dolphins’ two-game skid to keep themselves in the playoff race with 22-10 record. Ovie Soko and Taito Nakahigashi added 12 markers each.

Hiroshima Dragonflies dropped to 21-19 with Nick Mayo carrying his squad with 20 points and six rebounds.

Gomez De Liano only played six minutes and tallied a three-pointer in Ibaraki Robots’ 95-91 victory over the SunRockers Shibuya at Adastria Mito Arena.

Kohei Fukuzawa scored 20 from five triples to deliver Ibaraki’s second straight win and improve to 9-28 to spoil the 27-point explosion of Shibuya’s James Michael McAdoo as they slid to 21-18.

FILE – Shiga Lakerstars’ Kiefer Ravena. Photo from B.League

Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena struggled from the field and committed seven turnovers as Shiga Lakestars fell to Shimane Susanoo Magic, 74-82, at Matsue City Gymnasium.

Perrin Buford powered Shimane with 34 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals, conspiring with Nick Kay’s double-double 21 markers and 11 rebounds to improve their team’s record to 28-10.

Ravena had 10 points and 10 assists including four rebounds and three steals but he shot four-of-12 from the field and gave up seven of Shiga’s 16 turnovers as they suffered their seventh straight loss dropping to 10-24 record.

Teppei Kashiwagura was the lone bright spot for the LakeStarts, scoring 29 with five three-pointers.

It was not a good day either for both Dwight Ramos and Kobe Paras after their teams absorbed blowout defeats.

Dwight Ramos and his Toyama teammates. B.LEAGUE PHOTO

Ramos and Toyama Grouses failed to contain the duo of David Simon and Justin Harper as they got blasted by Kyoto Hannaryz, 66-88, at Toyama City Gymnasium.

Simon had 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Harper chipped in 21 as Kyoto rise to 9-29.

Ramos had seven points only hitting two-of-10 from the field including seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Brice Johnson lifted Toyama with 21 points and nine rebounds but slid to 16-24 card.

Niigata Albirex BB got also blown out by Kawasaki Brave Thunders, 62-92, at City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka.

Yuma Fujii led Kawasaki’s balanced attack with 17 points, five assists, and two rebounds to improve to 28-10, while sending Paras and Niigata to their fourth straight loss and drop to 5-33 record.

Paras scored 11 and collected two rebounds in their lopsided loss. Rosco Allen led the team with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Jeff Ayres added 15 markers.