Fazekas-led Kawasaki rides late rally to bury Dwight Ramos, Toyama

The Kawasaki Brave Thunders proved why they are one of the best teams in the Japan B. League Division 1 after mounting a late rally at home to rout the Toyama Grouses, 87-74, on Sunday, November 7.

With the win, the Thunders improved to 8-3 for the season as they sent the Grouses down to a dismal 1-10 slate.

Former PBA import and two-time B. League champion Nick Fazekas schooled Toyama for the second straight game as he erupted for 14 of his season-high 36 points in the fourth quarter alone, and finished with a 12-of-22 clip, 4-of-6 from three and 8-of-8 from the line.

On the losing end, Filipino import Dwight Ramos was held to just 8 points in 26 minutes, albeit with 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

Fazekas almost singlehandedly brought the Thunders back from the dead after they trailed by as many 14, 19-33, early in the second quarter, thanks to an early Julian Mavunga scoring run for Toyama.

As Mavunga’s offensive cooldown coincided with Kawasaki’s comeback to inch within two, 58-60, entering the final frame, the Thunders promptly buried the Grouses with a massive 24-7 run capped by a Fazekas jumper at the 2:19 mark for the 82-67 lead.

By then, there was nothing Toyama could do as former PBA import Joshua Smith’s dunk only got the Grouses within 10, 74-84, in the game’s waning moments.

Mavunga finished with a great line of 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Smith chipped in 15 markers and 9 boards in the stunning loss.

The cellar-dwelling Grouses return to action on Wednesday, November 10, 6:05 pm, against the Kyoto Hannaryz, in one of many must-win games from here on out.

The Scores

Kawasaki 87 – Fazekas 36, Aguilar 15, Fujii 9, Heath 5, Maeta 5, Kumagae 5, Shinoyama 4, Hasegawa 3, Masuda 3, Tsunai 2, Kamata 0.

Toyama 74 – Mavunga 28, Smith 15, Ramos 8, Matsui 6, Johnson 6, Uto 5, Kamisawa 3, Hareyama 3, Ono 0, Ametani 0, Mito 0.

Quarters: 15-22, 34-45, 58-60, 87-74.

– Rappler.com