WJBL Round 4 (Regular Season): Denso I. edge Toyota A. by two points

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Eighth-ranked Toyota A. (0-8) made lots of trouble for top-ranked Denso I. (8-0) in Kariya on Sunday. Denso I. managed to secure only two-point victory 62-60. However their fans expected much easier game. The former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) fired 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international power forward Evelyn Mawuli (180-1995) chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds. The former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) produced 20 points and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated Denso I. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Toyota A. at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. They share the position with Hitachi Cougars. Denso I. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Fujitsu RW in Kawasaki in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyota A. will play on the road against Chanson V-M (#4) in Shizuoka and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Important game to mention about took place in Aichi. Second ranked Fujitsu RW (7-1) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 4th ranked Toyota BSR (4-4) 65-62 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Yuki Miyazawa contributed with 11 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) replied with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds for Toyota BSR. Toyota BSR's coach Lucas Mondelo rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-1 record behind leader Denso I. Toyota BSR at the other side keeps the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Chanson V-M. Fujitsu RW 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 on the road against Aishin AW in Anjo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Anjo between Chanson V-M and Aishin AW. Sixth ranked Chanson V-M (4-4) got a very close victory on the road over 5th ranked Aishin AW (4-5). Chanson V-M managed to escape with a 3-point win 71-68 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Izoje Uche who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds. Chanson V-M's coach Fumikazu Nakagawa used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side Asuka Hirasue responded with 25 points. Chanson V-M moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Toyota BSR. Loser Aishin AW dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Chanson V-M will meet at home bottom-ranked Toyota A. (#8) in the next round. Aishin AW will play against Hitachi Cougars in Hitachinaka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Eneos S. defeated Hitachi Cougars in Kashiwa 80-70. Aishin AW beat Chanson V-M at home 82-78. Winless Toyota A. lost to undefeated Denso I. on the opponent's court 69-87. Toyota BSR lost to defending champion Fujitsu RW in a home game 61-68. Eneos S. managed to beat Hitachi Cougars on the road 106-96.
The best stats of 4th round was 23 points and 4 assists by Nanami Tsuno of Toyota BSR.

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.

Hitachi Cougars - Eneos S. 70-80

There was no surprise in Hitachinaka where bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (0-8) were defeated by third ranked Eneos S. (5-2) 80-70 on Saturday. Eneos S. made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of center Okoe Mominoka (182-1999) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 6 rebounds and the former international center Kadysha Umezawa (190-1998) who added 12 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side forward Ririka Okuyama (180-2000) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds and power forward Yuki Nakano (181-1996) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Eneos S. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 5-2 record having four points less than leader Denso I. Loser Hitachi Cougars still closes the standings with eight games lost. They share the position with Toyota A.. Eneos S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hitachi Cougars will play against Aishin AW (#6) and look forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Hitachi Cougars: H.Aka 15+1reb+3ast, Y.Nakano 14+5reb+3ast, R.Okuyama 12+11reb+2ast, M.Kubota 11+3reb+3ast, D.Malem-Doi 5+2ast, S.Ohara 5+6reb+2ast
Eneos S.: O.Mominoka 17+6reb+2ast, H.Yagi 14+6reb+1ast, M.Nagaoka 12+1reb+5ast, K.Umezawa 12+7reb+2ast, S.Miyazaki 6+5reb+8ast, F.Mako 6+4reb+1ast

Aishin AW - Chanson V-M 82-78

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Aishin AW's (4-5) home victory over 6th ranked Chanson V-M (4-4) 82-78 on Saturday. Aishin AW outrebounded Chanson V-M 46-33 including 20 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Sakura Noguchi (181-2001) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds and the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Aishin AW players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international Yurika Sato (176-1998) responded with 17 points and 8 rebounds and international swingman Mai Yoshida (175-1998) scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Aishin AW went down to sixth position due to points difference. Loser Chanson V-M dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Toyota BSR. Aishin AW will meet Hitachi Cougars (#7) in the next round. Chanson V-M will play against Toyota A. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Chanson V-M: I.Uche 18+5reb+2ast, Y.Sato 17+8reb+3ast, M.Yoshida 16+7reb+4ast, H.Horiuchi 9, K.Haruka 9+1reb+7ast, M.Shirasaki 7+2reb+2ast
Aishin AW: S.Noguchi 25+15reb+2ast, A.Moriguchi 16+3reb+2ast, R.Tokashiki 15+5reb+3ast, A.Hirasue 12+1reb+4ast, K.Kondo 7+2reb+1ast, A.Yoshida 3+2reb

Denso I. - Toyota A. 87-69

Very expected game in Kariya where bottom-ranked Toyota A. (0-8) was defeated by top-ranked Denso I. (8-0) 87-69 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and the former international Akaho Himawari (185-1998) who added 13 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Denso I.'s coach Vladimir Vuksanovic used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side center Ufuoma Tanaka (181-2002) responded with 16 points and 9 rebounds and the former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) scored 6 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Toyota A. players scored in double figures. Denso I. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Loser Toyota A. still closes the standings with eight games lost. They share the position with Hitachi Cougars. Denso I. will meet league's second-placed Fujitsu RW in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyota A. will play against Chanson V-M (#4) in Shizuoka and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Toyota A.: U.Tanaka 16+9reb+1ast, M.Miura 15+1reb+1ast, A.Hirashita 14+3reb+1ast, M.Okamoto 10+3reb+1ast, S.Yasuma 6+5reb+8ast, Y.Onodera 4+2reb+2ast
Denso I.: M.Takada 17+3reb+3ast, E.Mawuli 16+2reb+3ast, A.Himawari 13+7reb+2ast, S.Akaho 9+8reb, C.Umeki 9+1reb+1ast, N.Norika 8+5reb+1ast

Toyota BSR - Fujitsu RW 61-68

Rather predictable result in Aichi where second ranked Fujitsu RW (7-1) beat 4th ranked Toyota BSR (4-4) 68-61 on Saturday. 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 13 points and 8 rebounds and the former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) who added 8 points and 9 assists during the contest. Four Fujitsu RW players scored in double figures. At the losing side Yuki Kitamura (173-1994) responded with 14 points and point guard Nanami Tsuno (158-2004) scored 12 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-1 record behind leader Denso I. Loser Toyota BSR keeps the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Chanson V-M. Fujitsu RW will meet at home league's leader Denso I. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyota BSR will play against Aishin AW in Anjo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toyota BSR: Y.Kitamura 14+2reb+2ast, N.Tsuno 12+3reb+3ast, M.Sasaka 8+6reb, N.Todo 8+5reb+1ast, A.Ishimaki 7+1ast, M.Inami 5
Fujitsu RW: S.Hayashi 14+3reb, M.Joshua 13+7reb, Y.Miyazawa 13+8reb+1ast, R.Akagi 10+4reb+1ast, R.Machida 8+4reb+9ast, A.Fujimoto 4+2reb

Hitachi Cougars - Eneos S. 96-106

Not a big story in a game in Hitachinaka where bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (0-8) were defeated by third ranked Eneos S. (5-2) 106-96 on Sunday. Eneos S. made 30-of-37 free shots (81.1 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Saori Miyazaki (167-1995) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 4 assists and the former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (183-1993) who added 20 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side power forward Yuki Nakano (181-1996) responded with 23 points and 4 assists and Honoka Morioka (172-2004) scored 24 points and 4 steals. Four Eneos S. and five Hitachi Cougars players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Eneos S. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 5-2 record having four points less than leader Denso I. Loser Hitachi Cougars still closes the standings with eight games lost. They share the position with Toyota A.. Eneos S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hitachi Cougars will play against Aishin AW (#6) and look forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Hitachi Cougars: H.Morioka 24+2reb+2ast, Y.Nakano 23+2reb+4ast, R.Okuyama 17+2reb+1ast, M.Kubota 11+1reb+5ast, D.Malem-Doi 10+13reb+3ast, H.Aka 4+1ast
Eneos S.: S.Miyazaki 30+4reb+4ast, O.Mominoka 22+4reb+2ast, M.Nagaoka 20+9reb+3ast, K.Umezawa 10+3reb, S.Suzuoki 7+2reb+2ast, H.Yagi 6+4reb

Aishin AW - Chanson V-M 68-71

A very close game took place in Anjo between Chanson V-M and Aishin AW. Sixth ranked Chanson V-M (4-4) got a very close victory on the road over 5th ranked Aishin AW (4-5). Chanson V-M managed to escape with a 3-point win 71-68 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds and the former international Yurika Sato (176-1998) who added 24 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) during the contest. Chanson V-M's coach Fumikazu Nakagawa used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side guard Asuka Hirasue (165-1998) responded with 25 points and the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) scored 11 points and 8 assists. Chanson V-M moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Toyota BSR. Loser Aishin AW dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Chanson V-M will meet at home bottom-ranked Toyota A. (#8) in the next round. Aishin AW will play against Hitachi Cougars in Hitachinaka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aishin AW: A.Hirasue 25+4reb+1ast, A.Moriguchi 16+3reb+3ast, R.Tokashiki 11+4reb+8ast, N.Yamaguchi 6+3reb+1ast, S.Noguchi 6+11reb+3ast, C.Sakai 3+1reb
Chanson V-M: Y.Sato 24+6reb, I.Uche 17+15reb+1ast, M.Shirasaki 12+4reb+1ast, K.Haruka 6+4reb+8ast, M.Yoshida 5+3reb+2ast, H.Horiuchi 4+1ast

Denso I. - Toyota A. 62-60

Eighth-ranked Toyota A. (0-8) made lots of trouble for top-ranked Denso I. (8-0) in Kariya on Sunday. Denso I. managed to secure only two-point victory 62-60. However their fans expected much easier game. The former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) fired 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international power forward Evelyn Mawuli (180-1995) chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds. The former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) produced 20 points and 5 assists and Maika Miura (166-2001) added 13 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Denso I. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. Toyota A. at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. They share the position with Hitachi Cougars. Denso I. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Fujitsu RW in Kawasaki in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyota A. will play on the road against Chanson V-M (#4) in Shizuoka and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Toyota A.: S.Yasuma 20+2reb+5ast, M.Miura 13+1reb+3ast, A.Hirashita 9+2reb+1ast, C.Yokoyama 6+2reb, U.Tanaka 6+10reb, A.Kaneda 3
Denso I.: M.Takada 13+5reb+1ast, E.Mawuli 11+5reb+1ast, A.Kimura 10+1reb+3ast, S.Motokawa 6+2reb, A.Himawari 6+5reb, M.Takahashi 5+1reb

Toyota BSR - Fujitsu RW 62-65

Important game to mention about took place in Aichi. Second ranked Fujitsu RW (7-1) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 4th ranked Toyota BSR (4-4) 65-62 on Sunday evening. Fujitsu RW dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Toyota BSR's 34. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-1993, college: Queens, NY) contributed with 11 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Fujitsu RW players scored in double figures. Center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) replied with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds and point guard Nanami Tsuno (158-2004) added 23 points and 4 assists in the effort for Toyota BSR. Toyota BSR's coach Lucas Mondelo rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-1 record behind leader Denso I. Toyota BSR at the other side keeps the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Chanson V-M. Fujitsu RW 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 on the road against Aishin AW in Anjo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toyota BSR: N.Tsuno 23+4reb+4ast, J.Wariebimo 15+17reb+1ast, N.Todo 10+6reb+1ast, M.Sasaka 4+3reb, Y.Kitamura 4+1reb+1ast, M.Inami 2+1reb
Fujitsu RW: R.Machida 15+5reb+5ast, Y.Miyazawa 11+6reb+3ast, S.Hayashi 11+1reb+1ast, M.Joshua 10+7reb+1ast, K.Miyashita 8+1ast, R.Akagi 4+3ast