Ray Parks makes impact in limited run as Nagoya outguns Gunma

The Nagoya Diamond Dolphins got back in the win column in the Japan B. League after outgunning the Gunma Crane Thunders home team, 100-90, and avoiding a weekend sweep on Sunday, November 7.

With the win, the Dolphins rose to a 6-5 record while the Thunders slid down to 4-7.

Ray Parks made the most of his 16 minutes off the bench in this game, as he finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal while being a game-best +23.

Local guard Takumi Saito was a far second with a +10 plus-minus to go along with 17 points and a game-high 7 dimes.

Nagoya looked well in control of the game after erecting an 87-78 lead off a Tenketsu Harimoto jumper at the 5:15 mark of the fourth quarter. However, Gunma woke up from its slumber, and fired off an 8-0 run to inch within three, 86-89, with just 2:35 left.

After seeing their lead nearly evaporate in the clutch, the Dolphins mustered a sense of urgency of their own, and put the Thunders away for good with an 8-3 response, capped by a Scott Eatherton dagger trey at the 1:14 mark of regulation.

Although Parks fouled out with 43 ticks left, he and the rest of Nagoya have done enough damage anyway at that point to seal the deal for their sixth win.

Gunma import Justin Keenan led the losing cause with a game-high 21 points, backstopped by 19 markers from fellow reinforcement Trey Jones.

Nagoya now looks to carry its winning momentum into next weekend with two more road games against the 7-4 Hiroshima Dragonflies.

The Scores

Nagoya 100 – Clarke 18, Saito 17, Eatherton 17, Ito 14, Parks 12, Suda 9, Nakahigashi 7, Harimoto 3, Karino 3, Kobayashi 0, Smith 0.

Gunma 90 – Keenan 21, Jones 19, Balvin 13, Parker 10, Chambers 8, Igarashi 5, Sugawara 5, Yamazaki 5, Nomoto 2, Kasai 2, Ueta 0.

Quarters: 28-23, 51-39, 74-67, 100-90.

– Rappler.com