Thirdy Ravena suffers first loss in Japan as foul trouble dooms San-En

November 9 ------ THIRDY Ravena tasted his first defeat in the 2020-21 B.League as the foul-prone San-En NeoPhoenix bowed to Shimane Susanoo Magic, 81-74, on Sunday at Yonago Industrial Gymnasium in Tottori. The three-time UAAP Finals MVP did make his presence felt anew, notching 12 points and eight rebounds in the match. But the other imports found themselves hounded by foul woes, with Kyle Hunt being whistled for two early fouls in the first two minutes of the game and Stevan Jelovac picking up three in the first half alone.

That allowed the home side to slowly pull away and establish 16-point leads, jumping to a 46-30 advantage in the third period which the NeoPhoenix struggled to claw back from. San-En valiantly tried to catch up late, with Hunt cutting the lead down to five, 77-73, with 32.4 seconds left. But an unsportsmanlike foul called on Ravena with 25.2 ticks remaining complicated that fightback as Yasuhiro Yamashita split his freebies. Shimane could not capitalize on the ensuing possession and sent Jelovac to the charity stripe in the final 21.9 to trim the lead to four, 78-74.

But naturalized player Nyika Williams sealed the deal for Susanoo Magic with a slam with 12.6 left in the clock, alowing the hosts to earn a split in two-game weekend series. Jelovac paced the NeoPhoenix with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists, while Hunt had 10 points and seven boards in the loss. Hayato Kawashima chimed in 12 points, six steals, three assists, and two rebounds as San-En fell to a 2-10 win-loss card. Ravena makes his home debut at Toyohashi City Gymnasium on Wednesday when the NeoPhoenix take on Osaka Evessa.

It was a tough shooting night for San-En, going only 4-of-15 from deep, further complicated by its 24 fouls, as Shimane converted 17 of its 27 free throws. De'Mon Brooks made sure to get the victory this time out for the Susanoo Magic (6-6) as he poured 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists after suffering a tough 83-82 defeat on Saturday. Reid Travis collected 17 points and five boards, while Perrin Buford had 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in the win.

Source: spin.ph