Dwight Ramos scores 16, but Toyama falls to Ryukyu to remain winless

Dwight Ramos finally found his groove but it went for naught as the Toyama Grouses fell to the Ryukyu Golden Kings at home, 95-88, to remain winless in the 2021-2022 Japan B.League on Saturday.

Ramos finished with 16 points, three rebounds, a steal, and a block as Toyama remained the last team yet to barge into the win column after erstwhile winless club Ibaraki Robots defeated San-en Neophoenix earlier in the day.

Ramos made his presence felt early on, contributing seven points as Toyama trailed Ryukyu by a thread at halftime, 46-45.

The Gilas Pilipinas standout was even more productive in the third, tallying nine points to bring them to within only two, 61-59.

But former PBA import Allen Durham converted four of Ryukyu's last points for a 68-65 advantage heading into the final period.

Ryukyu started to pull away early in the payoff quarter with Durham and Keita Imamura leading a 10-2 run as they erected a double-digit upper hand, 78-67. But Toyama was able to keep Ryukyu within striking distance after Naoki Uto tied the game anew at 82-all with 3:28 left.

It was a nip-and-tuck affair from that point on with both teams trading baskets before Ryuichi Kishimoto's back-to-back baskets brought Ryukyu up by four, 88-93, with 13 seconds left.

Jack Cooley sealed the win for the Golden Kings with a layup.

This was Ramos' only third game of the season after missing the team's first few matches after serving his 14-day mandatory quarantine.

Ramos and Toyama return to hardwood on Sunday, October 24, against Ryukyu as well as 12:05 p.m. (Manila time)

—JMB, GMA News