Ray Parks’ second-half explosion was not enough to lift Nagoya past Utsunomiya, falling 79-93 that snapped their three-game winning streak in the 2021-22 B.League season, Saturday at Park Arena Komaki.
With the Diamond Dolphins struggling mightily in the first half — putting up just 29 points compared to 48 for the Brex, Parks, a three-time ASEAN Basketball League MVP, stepped up firing nine of his 20 points in the third canto.
However, Utsunomiya still led 71-54 entering the final frame.
Nagoya had one last rally in them in the final frame, cutting a 76-60 lead down to 81-73 with 2:47 left after a Parks bucket.
The trio of Josh Scott, Isaac Fotu, and Chase Fieler though went on an 8-0 blast for Utsunomiya to restore order and seal the win.
Utsunomiya, who are playing their first game since January 3, went up to 18-9 in the standings while bringing Nagoya down to 21-9.
Scott tallied a double-double for Brex with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Fotu got 19 points while Fieler tallied 13 points, five rebounds, a steal, and a block.
Besides his 20-point output, Parks also produced six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Scott Eatherton led Nagoya with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Takumi Saito chipped in 13 points and six assists.
Over at White Ring, Shinshu continued its rise in the rankings, dropping Osaka with an 89-79 win.
The Brave Warriors went up to 13-17 to tie Evessa at sixth place in the west.
Matthew Aquino was a DNP in the contest.
