The Osaka Evessa routed the Tokyo Apache 111-80 on Saturday in a clash of first-place bj-league squads.
Lynn Washington scored 35 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while Mikey Marshall (22 points), Matt Lottich (14) and Naoto Nakamura (13) helped the Evessa improve to 5-0. Tokyo, which trailed 28-10 after one quarter, dropped to 3-2.
John Humphrey scored 31 for the Apache. The Sendai 89ers (4-1), meanwhile took over sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, defeating the visiting Toyama Grouses 80-61.
Bobby St. Preux and Patrick Whearty scored 20 apiece for the 89ers, and Uka Agbai paced the Grouses with 22.
Elsewhere, the host Takamatsu Five Arrows topped the Oita HeatDevils 99-84. The Five Arrows dished out 25 assists, but committed only nine turnovers.
Rasheed Sparks, last year's league leader, had a team-best seven assists for the Five Arrows, who got 24 points from Reggie Warren and 19 from Steve Horne.
Andy Ellis' 27 points led Oita. Led by Matt Garrison's 15 points and Kimitake Sato's 13, the Niigata Albirex BB edged the Saitama Broncos 68-66.
Gordon James led the Broncos with 21 points and 23 boards.