Reggie Warren scored a game-high 23 points and added 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked to lead the Rizing Fukuoka to a 91-82 victory and a series sweep over the visiting Shimane Susanoo Magic on Friday night.
The Rizing (11-15) trailed 40-32 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Fukuoka outscored Shimane 32-15 to gain control of the outcome.
For Warren, a University of West Florida product, Friday's effort produced his fifth straight double-double, and the Rizing pulled within a game of the sixth and final playoff spot, which is currently occupied by the Shiga Lakestars (12-16).
The Magic (5-21) suffered their seventh straight loss in the bj-league.
Seth Tarver had 16 points for the Rizing, who knocked down 9 of 21 3-pointers. Cohey Aoki scored 12 points, dished out four assists and collected two steals and Julius Ashby had 11 points and seven boards. Akitomo Takeno added 10 points and four assists for the hosts, while Jun Nakanishi handed out five assists.
The Rizing, the championship runnerup squad last season, hauled in 51 rebounds, 12 more than the visitors, including a 22-10 advantage on the offensive glass.
For Shimane, big man Jeral Davis had 22 points on 11-for-15 shooting, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Edward Yamamoto added 12 points and nine assists in defeat.
Rizing rout Magic
In Thursday's series opener, Fukuoka earned an 88-68 triumph.
The Susanoo Magic scored 30 fourth-quarter points to transform the 40-minute contest into a rout.
Warren finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Michael Dale had 19 points and 10 boards, Takeno and Aoki both scored nine points and Aoki poured in eight.
Fukuoka canned 8 of 17 3s; Shimane made 2 of 17.
Davis led the Magic with 19 points, 10 boards, four steals and three blocks. Shawn Malloy also had a 19-point effort. Koki Yabuuchi had eight assists.
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