Osaka Evessa took advantage of San-en NeoPhoenix’s notorious late-game meltdown habits, and escaped with a 105-101 overtime win in the Japan B. League on Saturday, April 24, at the Toyohashi City Gymnasium.

With the win, Osaka rose to 29-19 for second place in the West District while San-en remained rooted at ninth place with a 12-43 slate.

San-en import Thirdy Ravena sat out with a left knee injury as former NBA player Josh Harrelson dominated with a 30-point, 15-rebound double-double for Osaka. 

DJ Newbill likewise stuffed the stat sheet in the win with 28 points, 11 assists, 7 boards, and 4 steals.

Although San-en waxed hot early and led by as many as 16, 33-17, to begin the second quarter, Osaka grounded the NeoPhoenix and outscored them, 23-8, to get within one, 40-41, by halftime.

After going down 7, 65-72, in the final frame, the NeoPhoenix breathed new life to their campaign with a 13-0 comeback run for the 78-72 lead midway through the quarter.

However, Osaka kept chipping away, and eventually sent the game to overtime, 90-all, with a last-second putback layup by Newbill.

Both teams traded triples and leads in the extra period before Harrellson seemingly put the game away with two free throws for the 102-98 lead with 25 ticks left. 

However, Shingo Okada responded with a quick triple to get within one, 101-102, with 15 seconds to go.

Newbill then drained two shots from the line off the duty foul followed by a Stevan Jelovac missed triple, and a subsequent technical foul for flopping on the landing. Osaka finally closed things out with one last Newbill free throw as a heated Jelovac had to be restrained by his teammates.

Tatsuya Suzuki erupted for a team-high 27 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds in the loss while returning import Kyle Hunt chipped in a 23-point, 11-board double-double.

The NeoPhoenix will have one last shot at redemption in front of their home fans with a Sunday, April 25, rematch against Osaka. They will finish their lackluster season on May 1 and 2 in a back-to-back road game set against the 29-19 Seahorses Mikawa. – Rappler.com