San-En made sure that Thirdy Ravena’s return to the team was worth it, escaping with an 85-82 win over Nagoya in the 2021-22 B.League season, Wednesday at Dolphins Arena.
Clinging to just an 80-79 lead with 49 seconds left, the NeoPhoenix clamped down on defense, forcing the Diamond Dolphins to a 24-second shot-clock violation.
Robert Carter then connected on two free throws in the ensuing possession to extend San-En’s lead to three.
A rattled Takumi Saito committed a turnover on the other end that led to two more free throws courtesy of Elias Harris.
A miss by Coty Clarke led to a split from the stripe by Carter to seal the win.
Ravena, who just came back after missing San-En’s last four games due to national team duty, came off the bench, scoring 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in just 12 minutes of action.
Bobby Ray Parks, meanwhile, had nine points and six rebounds in the loss.
San-En climbed out of the B.League cellar with the win, going up to 6-30. Nagoya, meanwhile, fell to 21-10 to remain at third in the west.
This is the Diamond Dolphins’ first game since January 29.
Ravena and San-En will next face Shinshu next Wednesday at Kotobuki Arena. Parks and Nagoya, meanwhile, will meet Javi Gomez de Liano and Ibaraki this weekend at Mitsubishi Electric Nagoya Gymnasium.
