Kiefer Ravena had another quiet game but his Shiga Lakestars came out on top anew with a 95-72 demolition of Kyoto Hannaryz to sweep its two-game road series in Japan's B. League at Kyoto City Gymnasium on Sunday, October 17.
With the win, Shiga got a share of the lead with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the West District with an identical 5-1 win-loss record.
Ravena, just like in the first game against Hannaryz, was limited to a single digit scoring, finishing with just six points, four rebounds and three assists although he was a little bit gun shy by making two field goals in just three attempts in 16 minutes of play.
Fortunately, the Filipino import’s quiet night was hardly felt as Shiga banked on a huge third quarter to pull away from a tight 42-41 contest in the first half.
The Lakestars unleashed a back breaking 22-3 run with seven minutes left in the third frame to leave Kyoto in the dust. Shiga turned a 48-46 deficit into a 70-51 advantage heading to the final frame.
Shiga also clamped down on the defensive end in that same quarter, limiting Kyoto to just 10 points as the Lakestars perfectly executed the plays and forced Hanaryz to four straight turnovers during that massive third quarter run.
Shiga kept its foot on the gas pedal in the fourth period as the lead ballooned to its largest at 30 points, 91-61, with only four minutes left in the game.
Sean O’mara kept Shiga in the game in first two quarters, scoring 16 points in the first half to finish with a double-double of 22 markers and 15 boards. Reinei Shibata provided support with 15 points on a perfect 3-of-3 clip from the three-point line.
Justin Harper paced Kyoto with 20 points and nine rebounds but lacked the support from his crew as Hannaryz failed to sustain its solid start in the first half.