The Akita Northern Happinets climbed back into first place by completing a weekend sweep of the Toyama Grouses on Sunday.
Coach Kazuo Nakamura's club defeated Toyama 73-58 in the teams' final game of the 2011-12 bj-league season's first half. The sixth annual All-Star Game will be held next Sunday at Saitama Super Arena.
E.J. Drayton and Curtis Terry scored 18 points apiece to lead Akita (15-9, tied for first with the Niigata Albirex BB), Ricky Woods had 15 points with 12 rebounds and Kazuhiro Shoji added 13 points and buried 4 of 7 long-range shots. Ryosuke Mizumachi dished out six assists, and the Happinets improved to 8-6 at home.