TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — The energized Saitama Broncos got hot at the right time on Sunday evening.

They pulled away from the visiting Sendai 89ers with a game-deciding run in crunch time. Furthermore, a sense of urgency characterized each offensive possession and each defensive stand down the stretch.

That late-game spurt provided the spark for Saitama's 80-75 win at Tokorozawa Municipal Gymnasium before a rowdy crowd of 2,873.