In its first game in 10 days, Nagoya showed rust.
The short-handed Diamond Dolphins fell to top B.League team Ryukyu, 65-97, Saturday at Okinawa Arena.
Playing with just 11 men as Ovie Soko was out for Nagoya, the Diamond Dolphins could not keep step with the Golden Kings in the 40-minute affair.
The trio of Ryuichi Kishimoto, Dwayne Evans, and Koh Flippin let loose early, combining for 27 of Ryukyu’s 36 points in the first half while helping limit Nagoya to just 19 points to take control of the game early.
The defensive masterpiece of Ryukyu continued in the second stanza, limiting Nagoya to just nine points on 1-of-11 shooting from the field to extend its lead to 61-28.
It was cruise control for the Golden Kings afterward, extending its winning streak to 13 games for a 43-4 record. Ryukyu has only lost once in the calendar year — a 76-87 defeat to Shimane last March 11.
Kishimoto led the way for Ryukyu with 24 points built on six treys while Jack Cooley tallied a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Evans also got 12 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists while Allen Durham finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Nagoya fell to 26-13 but still remained as the third seed in B.League west.
Coty Clarke was one of the few bright spots for Nagoya in the contest, finishing with 17 points and five assists. Scott Eatherton tallied 15 points and eight rebounds.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. was held down to just six points and four turnovers.
The two teams meet again tomorrow.
