The Osaka Evessa defeated the Samsung Thunders 87-80 Monday night at the Osaka City Central Gymnasium in the first of a two-game home-and-home series between the teams.
Lynn Washington led Evessa with 23 points, while four teammates also scored in double figures -- Matt Lottich (14), Kazuya Hatano (13), Masashi Joho (11) and David Palmer (10).
Osaka made 14 of 18 free throws and outrebounded Samsung 58-40, with Washington's 16 leading all players.
For the Thunders, Nate Johnson scored 29 points.
This series, dubbed the 2006 bj-KBL Series, features the reigning champs of the two leagues. The teams meet again Wednesday night in Seoul.
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