The Toyama Grouses held off the pesky Nishinomiya Storks in the fourth quarter on Saturday night, clinging to a slim lead down the stretch in a 72-68 series-opening victory.
The Grouses (2-1) led 61-47 after three quarters in Toyama.
The Storks converted 8 of 11 shots from 2-point range in the fourth quarter as they attempted to complete an improbable comeback, but came up short.
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