Thirdy Ravena returned from Gilas Pilipinas duties and helped the San-En Neophoenix edge the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins to snap their two-game losing skid in the 2021-22 Japan B.League Wednesday, March 9.
Ellias Harris, who led all scorersrs with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and one assist, soared for the layup en route to a 77-all deadlock with 1:58 remaining in the payoff period.
Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki fired a go-ahead triple with 57 ticks left to fully turn the tables for San-En, who lost back-to-back games against powerhouse squad Tokyo Alvark.
Harris and Robert Carter sank multiple free throws to ice the game as the Neophoenix took their sixth win with 30 losses.
Matsuwaki posted 17 points, two assists, one rebound, Ravena added 12 points and one rebound, and Carter had 10 points, nine rebounds, and two steals for San-en.
Shayne Whittington paced Nagoya, who has a 21-10 record at No. 7, with 13 points and nine rebounds. Coty Clarke chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Parks contributed nine points, five rebounds and one assist.
Dwight Ramos, likewise, made his respective return to the Japan B.League but was spoiled as the Toyama Grouses suffered a 76-66 beating from the Osaka Evessa.
Osaka unloaded a mini 8-2 run with a minute left to maintain a 10-point lead, 73-63, capped by Joji Takeuchi's free throws.
DJ Newbill spearheaded the Evessa with 31 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Brice Johnson paced Toyama with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, Joshua Smith fired 15 points to go with 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal, and Ramos had nine points and five rebounds.
Osaka sits at No. 14 with a 15-20 slate followed by Toyama with 16-23 record.
In other games, Kobe Paras and the Niigata Albirex BB (5-32) absorbed 93-64 routing from Tokyo (26-8); Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakestars (10-22) fell at the hands of Kawasaki Brave Thunder (27-10) big time, 103-56; while the Shishu Brave Warriors (19-19), sans Matthew Aquino, cruised past the Levanga Hokkaido (12-22), 103-94.