[ad_1]
San-En NeoPhoenix lost a 79-89 decision to Akita Northern Happinets on Saturday in the Japan B. League at the CAN Arena in Akita, Japan.
Thirdy Ravena started for NeoPhoenix and contributed 9 points in 23 minutes of action, but it wasn’t enough as San-En lost his second straight game after a three-game win streak to fall to 5-19 in the Western Conference. The Northern Happinets won their second straight game and were up to 15-9 in the Eastern Conference.
Stefan Jelovac led the NeoPhoenix with 16 points, while Kyle Hunt and Hayato Kawashima added 15 each. The visitors caught up for most of the game after falling behind 18-30 after the first quarter and never recovered, as they remained mired in ninth place in their conference.
Trailing by 18 with 4:38 remaining in the third period, the NeoPhoenix uncorked a 12-0 run to get within 59-65 with 1:50 to go. Akita pushed the lead back to double digits early in the pay period before San-En narrowed the gap back to five at 69-74 after two free throws from Jelovac with 6:23 left in the game.
But the home team regrouped with Takatoshi Furukawa’s third triple of the quarter restoring their double-digit lead at 83-72 with 3:07 to play.
Alex Davis set the pace for the Northern Happinets with 17. The two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon at the same location.
