FILE – Shiga Lakerstars’ Kiefer Ravena. Photo from B.League
MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena got the best Dwight Ramos as Shiga Lakestars ended a two-game skid with an 89-81 win over the Toyama Grouses in Japan B.League on Wednesday at Toyama City Gymnasium.
Ravena showed the way with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Shiga improved to 13-36 and won for the first time over the Grouses. Novar Gadson unleashed 29 points and seven assists, while Sean O’Mara dropped a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“It’s always nice to play against Filipino. [Dwight Ramos] is a great player. I’ve lost to him twice already so I didn’t want to end the season without winning against him,” said Kiefer in a post-game interview.
“It was good competition, we’re just very happy that we came out with a victory.”
Ramos had 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals only for Toyama to suffer its third straight loss, sliding to 20-32.
Brice Johnson lifted the Grouses with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Joshua Smith added 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Meanwhile, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had a quiet outing with three points, five rebounds and three assists but Nagoya took down Alvark Tokyo, 71-67, to boost its playoff bid at Dolphin’s Arena.
Coty Clarke took charge for the Diamond Dolphins with 22 points, nine rebounds and two assists, as Scott Eatherton dropped 21 points and five rebounds for their second straight win with an improved 28-13 record, ending Tokyo’s seven-game win streak.
Javi Gomez de Liano was scoreless in three minutes and 30 seconds of play in Ibaraki Robots’ 96-78 victory over Gunma Crane Thunders at Adastria Mito Arena.
Chehales Tapscott erupted with 45 points as Ibaraki ended its three-game skid for an improved 14-32 card.
Thirdy Ravena missed his fifth straight game in San-En NeoPhoenix’s 92-81 loss to Shimane Susanoo Magic at Matsue City Gymnasium.
San-En’s two-game winning streak was halted, sliding to 10-40 despite Max Hisatake’s 18-point and 16-rebound effort.
The NeoPhoenix will face Parks and the Diamond Dolphins this weekend.