B.League: Ray Parks sits out as Nagoya upsets Ryukyu, Ravenas struggle
MANILA, Philippines — Bobby Ray Parks Jr. missed the action but Nagoya stunned league leader Ryukyu, 73-67, in Japan B.League on Saturday at Dolphins’ Arena.
With Parks sitting out, Scott Eatherton took matters into his own hands, showing the way for the Diamond Dolphins with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Taito Nakahigashi was also instrumental with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Takumi Saito chipped in 11 points and six assists as Nagoya improved to a 32-13 record.
Dwayne Evans led the Golden Kings with 20 points, seven boards and four dimes as they dropped to 46-6.
However, Parks’ compatriots absorbed tough results.
Dwight Ramos unloaded 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, but the Toyama Grouses yielded to SeaHorses Mikawa, 84-70, at Toyama City Gymnasium.
Besides Ramos, Kevin Hareyama also scored 14 off the bench, while Joshua Smith added 11 points only for Toyama to drop its second consecutive game, falling to 22-34.
RAVENAS STRUGGLE
Kiefer Ravena was limited anew with seven points, five assists and two rebounds as the Shiga Lakestars absorbed a 102-79 beating from Shimane Susanoo Magic at Matsue City Gymnasium.
Following a 41-point loss on Friday, Shiga suffered its third straight loss, sliding to a 14-40 card despite Novar Gadson’s 30-point effort.
His brother Thirdy also struggled as San-En NeoPhoenix fell to Shinshu Brave Warriors, 78-68, at White Ring Arena.
The younger Ravena only had two points and five assists off the bench.
Wayne Marshall led Shinshu with 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, while Matthew Aquino played sparingly with two rebounds in his five minutes of play as his team improved to 24-26.
Justin Knox lifted the NeoPhoenix with 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals as they fell to 10-44.
Kobe Paras chimed in with 12 points, three rebounds, one steal and a block off the bench but Niigata Albirex BB got blown up by the Gunma Crane Thunders, 94-62, at Ota City Sports Park Citizen Gymnasium.
It was Niigata’s 14th straight loss, sinking to 5-43 despite Rosco Allen’s double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Javi Gomez de Liano had three points in eight minutes of action as the Ibaraki Robots fell anew to the Yokohama B-Corsairs, 91-85, at Yokohama Budokan.
Ibaraki lost back-to-back matches to Yokohama and slid to 15-36 even Eric Jacobsen put up 29 points, 21 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.