Dwight Ramos and Toyama successfully completed their invasion of Ukaruchan Arena, taking a 95-90 win over Shiga in the 2021-22 B.League season, Sunday.
Still, Kiefer Ravena and the Lakestars put up a fight as they tried to snap their skid that was already at nine games entering the contest.
Down 82-71 midway through the final frame, the Lakestars clawed back, cutting the lead to just three, 93-90, with 15 ticks left.
Ravena led the hijack attempt of Shiga, scoring on an and-one with two minutes left and a triple with 1:41 remaining to cut the lead down to 88-85.
Julian Mavunga was fouled attempting a trey by Ovie Soko to extend their lead to six. Then Teppei Kashiwagura, Soko, and Ravena strung together a rally to slice the lead down to one with 25 seconds left on the clock.
Keijuro Matsui converted on two free throws afterward. Ravena went for the game-tying trey but missed. Matsui sealed the win with two more freebies.
Matsui led Toyama to a 6-12 record with 19 points.
Ryumo Ono had 17 points built on four treys while Bryce Johnson added 16 points and seven rebounds. Mavunga scattered 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists as well.
For the heads-up showdown, Ramos had an all-around game with 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and two steals. On the other hand, Ravena had 13 points and five assists.
Shiga, who fell to 6-12, had Soko lead the way with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Naoto Moriyama had 18 points – all from downtown – while Novar Gadson got 17 points.
Ramos and Toyama will host Matt Aquino and Shinshu on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Shiga heads to Osaka on the same day.
