Fourth quarters are a test of will and skill in professional basketball, and it often comes down to a handful of plays to determine a winner.
The Tokyo Apache, a slow starter, emerged as the stronger finisher in a sloppy but effective 81-72 triumph over the Akita Northern Happinets on Tuesday night in the bj-league.
Akita, which shot 20 percent (4-for-20) in the fourth quarter, simply ran out of time to regain momentum or string together enough big plays to pull off a road win.