KASUKABE, Saitama Pref. -- The Sendai 89ers started strong and closed out Saturday's 86-74 victory over the Saitama Broncos with a stick-to-the-fundamentals approach.
They made their free throws (12 of 14) in the final period, capitalizing on what the hosts gave them.
And they got a big game from Ryan Blackwell -- 31 points to be exact on 10-for-17 shooting. He also had 13 rebounds, six assists and a steal for good measure in this bj-league contest before a crowd of 2,102 at Kasukabe Sogo Taikukan gymnasium.