The Osaka Evessa took an 18-point lead into the second quarter and held on for an 85-79 home win over the Toyama Grouses on Monday night in the B. League.
Former University of Kentucky and NBA big man Josh Harrellson paced the Evessa (11-9) with 25 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Xavier Gibson chipped in with 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting, while Shota Konno had 10 points. Takuya Hashimoto finished with nine points and Shun Watanuki and Hiroyuki Kinoshita added seven apiece. Kinoshita also dished out a team-high five assists.
Osaka swatted nine shots on the night, including two by Gibson and one apiece by Konno, Watanuki and Hashimoto.
Sam Willard had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Grouses (2-18) and Drew Viney scored 14 points, while Angel Garcia, Yu Okada, Ryo Yamazaki and Naoki Uto each had nine. Ex-Osaka guard Masashi Joho chipped in with six points and five assists.