TOTTORI, JAPAN — Thirdy Ravena experienced his first loss in the 2020-21 B.League season after San-En suffered a 74-81 defeat to Shimane, Sunday afternoon at Yonago Industrial Gymnasium.
The 6-foot-3 Asian import tallied 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from the charity stripe. He also picked up eight rebounds in 24 minutes of action, but it was not enough to replicate NeoPhoenix’s 83-82 triumph over Susanoo Magic yesterday.
Down by as much as 16 points, 50-34, early in the third frame, Kyle Hunt powered a huge endgame rally that saw San-En chomp the lead down to five 72-77.
But Ravena committed an unsportsmanlike foul against Yasuhiro Yamashita with 25 seconds left. Yamashita was only able to convert on one free throw while during the possession, San-En was able to make a stop. That led to two freebies for Stevan Jerovatu to cut the lead to four with 21 seconds left.
A breakdown of NeoPhoenix’s press, however, led to an easy jam for Williams Nyika. And that ultimately gave Shimane its sixth win in 12 tries.
San-En fell to 2-10, still last in the West District with Kyoto.
Jerovatu paced San-En with 23 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block. Meanwhile, Hayato Kawashima had 12 points and six steals but committed six errors.
Hunt was limited to just 10 markers on 4-of-8 shooting.
Leading the way for Shimane was De’Mon Brooks with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Travis Reid had 17 points and five rebounds. Perrin Buford added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ryo Abe chipped in 13 markers.
Ravena and San-En head home as they host Osaka on Wednesday at 6:05PM (Manila time).
