Bouncing back from a three-point loss on Saturday, a game that helped the rival Ryukyu Golden Kings wrap up the Western Conference's regular-season title, the Osaka Evessa locked up the West's No. 2 seed for the playoffs and a bye into the conference semifinals.
Osaka, directed by rookie head coach Ryan Blackwell, defeated the Rizing Fukuoka 86-71 on Sunday in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture, ensuring that the club only needs to win four more games to capture its fourth title in six seasons: the May 7-8 West semis and Final Four contests on May 21-22 at Ariake Colosseum.
Center Wayne Marshall had a season-high 26 points on 10-for-13 shooting to lead the Evessa scoring attack. Lynn Washington punched the time clock, so to speak, after a typical day at the office — 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists. Billy Knight scored 13 points, while former NBA floor leader Kenny Satterfield added 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Shota Konno chipped in with six points.
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