KYOTO — A year ago, the Osaka Evessa handed the Shiga Lakestars a loss in their debut game in the bj-league.
The Lakestars played the opposite role on Saturday against the expansion Kyoto Hannaryz.
Newcomers Masashi Joho and Chris Schlatter scored 18 points apiece to lead the Lakestars to an 82-73, season-opening triumph. Teammate Mike Hall added 13 points and Luke Zeller and Takamichi Fujiwara had 11 apiece to help Shiga open the season with a victory at Kyoto City Gymnasium.