A strong third-quarter performance fueled the Oita HeatDevils' 97-88 victory over the visiting Bambitious Nara on Thursday.
Trailing 51-47 at halftime, Oita outscored Nara 26-12 in the third quarter to take a 10-point advantage into the final period.
Devonne Giles led the HeatDevils (20-25) with 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Taishiro Shimizu had 15 points and knocked down three 3-pointers for the HeatDevils, who face the Bambitious again on Thursday, plus Saturday and Saturday. Two of those games were postponed in October due to a typhoon.