MANILA – Matthew Wright and Kawasaki Brave Thunders prevailed over Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 73-66, in the Japan B.League Division 1 at the Nagoyashi Inae Sports Center.
The former Phoenix Fuel Masters guard finished with 19 points, including two three-point conversions, to go with two assists, two steals, one rebound, and one block as Kawasaki improved to an 8-22 record.
“It has been a really tough journey so far, but we have a new team, new players, new coaches, and many other new things, so I think there will be times when you will have to be a little patient, but I hope that we can win consecutive games and share the joy with everyone,” Wright said.
Sacha-Killeya Jones led the way for the Brave Thunders with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, while former NBA player Alize Johnson added 16 markers and 13 boards.
Aaron Henry tallied 11 points, while Sean O’Mara, Ryuto Yusuoka, and Olufemi Olujobi contributed 10 markers apiece as the Fighting Eagles dropped to a 14-16 win-loss record.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. finished with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists, but Osaka Evessa (15-15) suffered a 75-71 defeat to Gunma Crane Thunders (22-8).
Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena, meanwhile, tallied 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal as Yokohama B-Corsairs (11-19) faltered to Ryukyu Golden Kings (23-7), 103-89.
Dwight Ramos, on the other hand, recorded five points, three assists, and two rebounds as Levanga Hokkaido (10-20) bowed to Kyoto Hannaryz (16-14), 84-68./PN
