WJBL Round 20 (Regular Season): Bottom-ranked Niigata R. wins against Aranmare

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Bottom-ranked Niigata R. managed to get a third victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Sunday night. This time they won against tenth-ranked Aranmare in Tokyo 71-61. Center Yumi Yano (180-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 13 points and 9 rebounds. Midori Kanazawa (170-1996) contributed with 17 points for the winners. The former international center Mutya Mori (180-1988) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds for Aranmare. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niigata R. (3-17) moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Haneda V. Aranmare at the other side keeps the tenth position with 15 games lost. Niigata R. is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Yamanashi QB (#14) on the road in the next round. Aranmare will play against Aishin AW (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
WJBL top team - Denso I. (18-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Mitsubishi K. (6-14) in Kariya 92-60. Worth to mention a quality performance of the former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 4 assists and Evelyn Mawuli who added 14 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The former international forward Nemoto Haruno (176-1995) responded with 12 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Denso I. have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 18-1 record, which they share with Toyota A. Mitsubishi K. at the other side keeps the ninth place with 14 games lost. Denso I. will play against league's second-placed Toyota A. in Nagoya in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Mitsubishi K. will play at home against Eneos S. (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 20: Fujitsu RW beat Yamanashi QB on the road 83-69. Haneda V. lost to defending champion Eneos S. on its own court 63-73. Toyota BSR unfortunately lost to Toyota A. in Nagoya 65-71. Aishin AW rolled over Himeji E. at home 76-56.
The most impressive performance of 20th round was 19 points and 4 assists by Misa Uchimaga of Aishin AW.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

Niigata R. - Aranmare A. 71-61

Bottom-ranked Niigata R. managed to get a third victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Sunday night. This time they won against tenth-ranked Aranmare in Tokyo 71-61. Center Yumi Yano (180-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 13 points and 9 rebounds. Midori Kanazawa (170-1996) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Niigata R. players scored in double figures. The former international center Mutya Mori (180-1988) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds and Airi Kitagawa (172-1998) added 9 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Aranmare. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niigata R. (3-17) moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Haneda V. Aranmare at the other side keeps the tenth position with 15 games lost. Niigata R. is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Yamanashi QB (#14) on the road in the next round. Aranmare will play against Aishin AW (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Niigata R.: K.Midori 17+2reb, Y.Yumi 13+9reb+2ast, H.Nakamura 12+2reb+1ast, M.Nishitarumizu 11+5reb, S.Yukina 8+5reb+2ast, H.Akari 5+3reb+3ast
Aranmare A.: M.Mori 13+14reb+2ast, A.Kitagawa 9+8reb+1ast, K.Hitomi 9+4reb, H.Shiori 8+4ast, S.Kyoka 7+3reb+1ast, K.Niang 7+7reb

Yamanashi QB - Fujitsu RW 69-83

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Fujitsu RW (17-3) beat on the road bottom-ranked Yamanashi QB (2-17) 83-69. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-1993, college: Queens, NY) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and swingman Uchio Akina (177-1997) who added 15 points during the contest. Swingman Miyoshi Aohana (175-2000) responded with 18 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and point guard Inoue Momoko (170-1997) scored 11 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Fujitsu RW maintains fourth position with 17-3 record. Yamanashi QB lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 17 games lost. Fujitsu RW will play against Hitachi Cougars (#7) in Hitachinaka in the next round. Yamanashi QB will play at home against Niigata R. (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fujitsu RW: Y.Miyazawa 18+4reb+3ast, U.Akina 15+1reb, F.Aki 10+4reb, R.Akagi 9+2reb+2ast, S.Hayashi 8+1reb+2ast, v.Novon Joshuana 7+7reb
Yamanashi QB: A.Miyoshi 18+4reb, A.Kaur 13+2reb+2ast, M.Inoue 11+8reb+1ast, T.Honoka 8+2reb+7ast, I.Asuka 4, S.Sakura 4

Denso I. - Mitsubishi K. 92-60

WJBL top team - Denso I. (18-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Mitsubishi K. (6-14) in Kariya 92-60. Denso I. made 22-of-27 charity shots (81.5 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Denso I. brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Mitsubishi K. was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a quality performance of the former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 4 assists and the former international power forward Evelyn Mawuli (180-1995) who added 14 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The former international forward Nemoto Haruno (176-1995) responded with 12 points and 5 rebounds and the former international Aya Watanabe (168-1992) scored 12 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Denso I. have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 18-1 record, which they share with Toyota A. Mitsubishi K. at the other side keeps the ninth place with 14 games lost. Denso I. will play against league's second-placed Toyota A. in Nagoya in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Mitsubishi K. will play at home against Eneos S. (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Denso I.: M.Takada 16+3reb+4ast, E.Mawuli 14+7reb+2ast, A.Kimura 10+1reb+1ast, A.Himawari 9+3reb+3ast, W.Yuri 8+2reb+2ast, Y.Minami 8+1reb
Mitsubishi K.: N.Haruno 12+5reb+1ast, A.Watanabe 12+2reb+3ast, H.Kasagi 8+1reb+3ast, N.Yuina 7+4reb+1ast, Y.Kosuge 6+6reb+2ast, Y.Yurin 6

Haneda V. - Eneos S. 63-73

Very expected game when 12th ranked Haneda V. (3-17) lost to third ranked Eneos S. (18-2) in Tokyo 63-73. Strangely Haneda V. outrebounded Eneos S. 49-32 including a 28-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds and the former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (183-1993) who added 11 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Five Eneos S. players scored in double figures. Center Miwa Kuribayashi (188-1998) responded with 14 points and 6 rebounds and Haruki Takahara (175-1999) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Haneda V.'s coach Mikiko Hagiwara rotated thirteen players in this game, but that didn't help. Eneos S. have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 18-2 record having just one point less than leader Denso I. Haneda V. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Niigata R.. Eneos S. will play against Mitsubishi K. (#9) in Nagoya in the next round where they are favorite. Haneda V. will play at home against Himeji E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Eneos S.: S.Nana 14+3reb, S.Okamoto 14+2reb+1ast, R.Tokashiki 12+10reb+1ast, M.Nagaoka 11+7reb+2ast, S.Miyazaki 11+2reb+1ast, M.Ayano 5
Haneda V.: M.Kuribayashi 14+6reb+1ast, H.Takahara 12+5reb, C.Ayumi 11+1reb+1ast, H.Kabashima 6+5reb+2ast, N.Motohashi 5+3reb+6ast, Y.Tsumura 4+2reb

Toyota A. - Toyota BSR 71-65

Rather predictable result when second ranked Toyota A. (18-1) won against 6th ranked Toyota BSR (12-8) in Nagoya 71-65. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Toyota BSR was plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of Senegalese center Sokhna Sylla (200-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) and the former international center Kadysha Umezawa (190-1998) who added 13 points during the contest. International Nanako Todo (175-2000) responded with 16 points and 4 assists and Yuki Kitamura (173-1994) scored 13 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Toyota A. have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Denso I. Toyota BSR at the other side keeps the sixth place with eight games lost. Toyota A. will play against league's leader Denso I. in Kariya in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyota BSR will play at home against Chanson V-M (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toyota A.: S.Sylla 19+10reb+1ast, K.Umezawa 13+4reb, M.Yamamoto 11+4reb+2ast, K.Miyashita 10+4reb+3ast, A.Hirashita 7+2reb, S.Yasuma 5+3reb+6ast
Toyota BSR: T.Nanako 16+1reb+4ast, Y.Kitamura 13+3reb+3ast, W.Jessica 11+5reb, T.Nanami 10+1reb+6ast, M.Sasaka 5+6reb, S.Asami 3+4reb+2ast

Aishin AW - Himeji E. 76-56

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked Himeji E. (3-16) was outscored by eighth ranked Aishin AW (8-11) in Anjo 76-56. Aishin AW outrebounded Himeji E. 44-31 including 17 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Misa Uchimaga (168-1996) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists and the former international Sakura Noguchi (181-2001) who added 9 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Point guard Aoi Ishimaki (165-2000) responded with 15 points and point guard Saori Yoshida (158-1984) scored 9 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Aishin AW maintains eighth position with 8-11 record. Himeji E. lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 16 games lost. Aishin AW will play against Aranmare (#10) in Akita in the next round. Himeji E. will play on the road against Haneda V. in Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aishin AW: U.Misa 19+2reb+4ast, M.Akane 12+1reb, S.Iijima 11+4reb, S.Noguchi 9+10reb+3ast, J.Mineharu 8+3reb+3ast, U.Ayaka 7+7reb+1ast
Himeji E.: I.Aoi 15+4reb+2ast, W.Momiji 13+2reb, S.Yoshida 9+6reb+3ast, E.Maho 6+5reb, S.Asami 4+1ast, M.Wenwu 3+3reb+1ast