Dwight Ramos and the Toyama Grouses bowed to the Shimane Susaanoo Magic, 75-91, but still kept their quarterfinal hopes alive Wednesday night in the 2021-2022 B.League tournament at the Toyama City Gymnasium.
The Grouses committed 10 turnovers in the second quarter, allowing the Magic to score 23 points and grab a 10-point edge, 40-30, in the last 56 seconds of the first half.
The loss snapped the Grouses’ two-game winning streak, but they remained in eighth spot with their 13-20 win-loss record in the West District standings.
Nick Kay took charge in the third quarter, scoring 17 of his 32 points to help Shimane take a 49-36 lead in the last 8:45.
The Magic stayed in second spot at 22-8, behind the solo-leading Ryukyu Golden Kings (25-3).
Bobby Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins are in third place with their 21-9 slate.
The Dolphins are on a month-long layoff following a string of game postponements due to COVID-19 restrictions and the upcoming second window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
This affected the Dolphins’ Wednesday match against Fil-Jap Matt Aquino and the Shinshu Brave Warriors.
Ramos and Nagoya will next clash with Javi Gomez de Liano and Ibaraki this weekend at Adastria Mito Arena.