Playing for pride against a Kansai rival, the Shiga Lakestars ushered in the weekend with a hard-earned victory over the Osaka Evessa on Saturday evening.

The Lakestars shot 54.4 percent from the floor and needed every bucket — all 37 of them — in an 88-81 win. After all, Shiga made 9 of 20 free throws. Venky Jois had a dreadful performance at the charity stripe, going 0-for-9.

D'or Fischer led the visitors with 27 points on 13-for-17 shooting, 11 rebounds and three blocks. He is second in the league in blocks (2.1 per game), trailing only Yokohama's Hasheem Thabeet (2.3).