The Kanazawa Samuraiz climbed above .500 with a series-opening, 83-64 victory over the Shiga Lakestars on Saturday.
The Samuraiz (6-5), a first-year franchise, received strong efforts from several players to rout Shiga in Kanazawa.
Andrew Fitzgerald paced the hosts with 21 points and Gyno Pomare contributed 18 points and seven rebounds. Masato Tsukino added 15 points, seven boards and two blocks, Marshall Brown supplied 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and Yuji Ide handed out seven assists.