Coming off a weekend split against Yokohama, Kiefer Ravena and Shiga vented their ire on Kobe Paras and Niigata, scoring a 78-59 win in the 2021-22 B.League season, Saturday at Ukaru-chan Arena.
In their first-ever game against each other, Ravena and Paras did not deliver eye-popping numbers with the former only registering two points on 1-of-5 shooting and three assists while the latter got six points and three rebounds against four turnovers.
Still, Ravena did not have to do much for the Lakestars in the bounce-back win.
With the trio of Ovie Soko, Sean O’ Mara, and Novar Gadson delivering on both ends, Shiga raced to a 21-11 lead early and never looked back.
Another lackluster second quarter by Albirex BB that resulted in just 12 points continued their woes, falling behind 36-23 at the half.
All in all, Niigata shot just 9-of-29 from the field in the first half while committing 15 turnovers.
Shiga’s lead would grow to as high as 24 points, 67-43, with 7:31 left.
The Lakestars went up to 8-14 with the win while dropping the Albirex to 2-20.
Gadson ended up with 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists for Shiga while Soko got 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. O’ Mara chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals, and two blocks.
Tshilidzi Nephawe led Niigata anew with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Jeff Ayres had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
The two teams square off again tomorrow.
