WJBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Hitachi Cougars beat Toyota BSR by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game of round 8 in the WJBL took place in Hitachinaka. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Toyota BSR (6-10) to eighth ranked Hitachi Cougars (2-14) 71-69 on Saturday evening. Strangely Toyota BSR outrebounded Hitachi Cougars 49-33 including a 27-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Senegalese center Daramee Malem-Doi (187-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Power forward Yuki Nakano (181-1996) contributed with 14 points for the winners. Center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for Toyota BSR. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Hitachi Cougars maintains eighth position with 2-14 record. Toyota BSR lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Toyota A.. Hitachi Cougars are looking forward to face league's second-placed Denso I. in Kariya in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Toyota BSR will play at home against Aishin AW and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Denso I. (13-3) against fourth ranked Chanson V-M (7-9) on Saturday night. Visiting Denso I. was defeated by Chanson V-M in a tough game in Shizuoka 53-62. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Minami Shirasaki (166-1996) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Izoje Uche who added 13 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The former international power forward Evelyn Mawuli (180-1995) responded with 16 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chanson V-M have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 7-9 record. Denso I. at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost. Chanson V-M will play against higher ranked Eneos S. (#3) in Kashiwa in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Denso I. will play at home against Hitachi Cougars and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game for Denso I. (13-3) which played road game in Shizuoka against 4th ranked Chanson V-M (7-9). Second ranked Denso I. had an easy win 74-56. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Chanson V-M. The winners were led by Akaho Himawari who scored that evening 19 points and 8 rebounds. Even 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Minami Shirasaki did not help to save the game for Chanson V-M. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Denso I. maintains second position with 13-3 record behind leader Fujitsu RW. Loser Chanson V-M keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. Denso I. will meet at home bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Chanson V-M will play against Eneos S. (#3) in Kashiwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 8: Aishin AW was smashed by Fujitsu RW on the road 88-45. Toyota A. lost to Eneos S. on its own court 49-64. Toyota BSR managed to outperform Hitachi Cougars in Aichi 89-78. Fujitsu RW managed to beat Aishin AW at home 67-51. Eneos S. defeated Toyota A. on the opponent's court 69-58.
The most impressive performance of 8th round was 10 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists by Saori Miyazaki of Eneos S..

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 - Toyota BSR 71-69

The most exciting game of round 8 in the WJBL took place in Hitachinaka. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Toyota BSR (6-10) to eighth ranked Hitachi Cougars (2-14) 71-69 on Saturday evening. Strangely Toyota BSR outrebounded Hitachi Cougars 49-33 including a 27-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Senegalese center Daramee Malem-Doi (187-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Power forward Yuki Nakano (181-1996) contributed with 14 points for the winners. Four Hitachi Cougars players scored in double figures. Center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and Miki Sasaka (178-1998) added 16 points in the effort for Toyota BSR. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Hitachi Cougars maintains eighth position with 2-14 record. Toyota BSR lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Toyota A.. Hitachi Cougars are looking forward to face league's second-placed Denso I. in Kariya in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Toyota BSR will play at home against Aishin AW and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toyota BSR: J.Wariebimo 18+18reb, M.Sasaka 16+4reb+2ast, M.Sakamoto 11+3reb+4ast, Y.Kitamura 9+7reb+4ast, M.Inami 6+4reb+2ast, A.Ishimaki 5+1ast
Hitachi Cougars: D.Malem-Doi 17+4reb+2ast, Y.Nakano 14+4reb+2ast, R.Okuyama 13+3reb+1ast, H.Aka 10+2reb, M.Kubota 6+2reb+8ast, H.Morioka 5+2reb+4ast

Chanson V-M - Denso I. 62-53

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Denso I. (13-3) against fourth ranked Chanson V-M (7-9) on Saturday night. Visiting Denso I. was defeated by Chanson V-M in a tough game in Shizuoka 53-62. Chanson V-M outrebounded Denso I. 47-31 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Chanson V-M brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Minami Shirasaki (166-1996) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) who added 13 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four Chanson V-M players scored in double figures. The former international power forward Evelyn Mawuli (180-1995) responded with 16 points and the former international Akaho Himawari (185-1998) scored 10 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chanson V-M have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 7-9 record. Denso I. at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost. Chanson V-M will play against higher ranked Eneos S. (#3) in Kashiwa in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Denso I. will play at home against Hitachi Cougars and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Denso I.: E.Mawuli 16+4reb+1ast, A.Himawari 10+7reb+2ast, M.Takada 10+2reb+1ast, C.Umeki 5, A.Kimura 3+4reb+8ast, H.Shinohara 3
Chanson V-M: M.Shirasaki 18+8reb+5ast, I.Uche 13+10reb+1ast, K.Haruka 12+3reb+6ast, M.Yoshida 10+7reb+2ast, Y.Sato 7+9reb+1ast, H.Horiuchi 2+2reb+1ast

Fujitsu RW - Aishin AW 88-45

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Fujitsu RW (14-2) crushed 6th ranked Aishin AW (6-11) in Kawasaki 88-45 on Saturday. Fujitsu RW forced 20 Aishin AW turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Aishin AW's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Fujitsu RW made 10 blocks. The winners were led by the former international forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-1993, college: Queens, NY) who scored that evening 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks and Nigerian center Mfon Joshua (190-1999) supported her with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Even 6 points and 8 rebounds by the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) did not help to save the game for Aishin AW. The former international Sakura Noguchi (181-2001) added 11 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Fujitsu RW have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-2 record. Aishin AW lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with 11 games lost. Fujitsu RW will meet Toyota A. (#5) in the next round. Aishin AW will play against Toyota BSR in Aichi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aishin AW: S.Noguchi 11+5reb, A.Hirasue 9+4reb, A.Moriguchi 7+1reb, R.Tokashiki 6+8reb+2ast, S.Okamoto 4+2reb+4ast, C.Sakai 3+1ast
Fujitsu RW: Y.Miyazawa 17+9reb+4ast, M.Joshua 16+9reb, M.Era 10+2ast, M.Hayashi 8+1ast, R.Machida 7+1reb+11ast, A.Uchio 7+2reb+1ast

Toyota A. - Eneos S. 49-64

Rather expected game when 5th ranked Toyota A. (6-10) lost to third ranked Eneos S. (10-5) in Nagoya 49-64 on Saturday. Eneos S. held Toyota A. to an opponent 23.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 41.9 percent accuracy of the winners. Eneos S. had a 31-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by the former international Saori Miyazaki (167-1995) who scored that evening 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (183-1993) supported her with 8 points and 9 rebounds. Even 11 points and 5 rebounds by the former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) did not help to save the game for Toyota A.. Guard Chinami Yokoyama (170-2004) added 7 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Eneos S. maintains third position with 10-5 record having five points less than leader Fujitsu RW. Loser Toyota A. keeps the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Toyota BSR. Eneos S. will meet at home Chanson V-M (#4) in the next round. Toyota A. will play against the league's leader Fujitsu RW and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyota A.: S.Yasuma 11+5reb+3ast, A.Hirashita 9+2reb+1ast, C.Yokoyama 7+6reb, Y.Onodera 5+3reb, M.Miura 5+2reb+1ast, A.Katsura 4+1reb
Eneos S.: S.Miyazaki 16+6reb+4ast, O.Mominoka 11+4reb+1ast, H.Hoshi 10+2reb, M.Nagaoka 8+9reb+2ast, K.Umezawa 7+3reb+3ast, F.Mako 7+5reb

Hitachi Cougars - Toyota BSR 78-89

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Toyota BSR's (6-10) road victory over bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (2-14) in Hitachinaka 89-78 on Sunday. Toyota BSR looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 22 rebounds and point guard Nanami Tsuno (158-2004) supported her with 17 points and 8 assists. Even a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists by point guard Mayu Kubota (168-2000) did not help to save the game for Hitachi Cougars. Power forward Yuki Nakano (181-1996) added 15 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Toyota BSR moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Toyota A. Loser Hitachi Cougars stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. Toyota BSR will meet at home Aishin AW (#7) in the next round. Hitachi Cougars will play against the league's second-placed Denso I. in Kariya and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hitachi Cougars: M.Kubota 19+3reb+10ast, H.Morioka 17+2reb+3ast, Y.Nakano 15+7reb+2ast, H.Aka 6+5reb, S.Ohara 5+5reb, D.Malem-Doi 5+2reb+2ast
Toyota BSR: J.Wariebimo 25+22reb+1ast, N.Tsuno 17+4reb+8ast, Y.Kitamura 13+3reb+3ast, M.Kawamura 8+3reb+1ast, Y.Kaime 8+2reb+1ast, M.Inami 7+1reb+3ast

Chanson V-M - Denso I. 56-74

An interesting game for Denso I. (13-3) which played road game in Shizuoka against 4th ranked Chanson V-M (7-9). Second ranked Denso I. had an easy win 74-56. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Chanson V-M. They outrebounded Chanson V-M 41-30 including 22 on the offensive glass. Denso I. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Chanson V-M's players. The winners were led by the former international Akaho Himawari (185-1998) who scored that evening 19 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Ami Kimura (165-1999) supported her with 18 points and 7 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Denso I. players scored in double figures. Even 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international Minami Shirasaki (166-1996) did not help to save the game for Chanson V-M. The former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) added 15 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Denso I. maintains second position with 13-3 record behind leader Fujitsu RW. Loser Chanson V-M keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. Denso I. will meet at home bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Chanson V-M will play against Eneos S. (#3) in Kashiwa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chanson V-M: I.Uche 15+7reb+1ast, M.Shirasaki 14+6reb+4ast, M.Yoshida 10+4reb+2ast, Y.Sato 8+3reb, T.Setu 3+2reb, K.Shiotani 2
Denso I.: A.Himawari 19+8reb+2ast, A.Kimura 18+7ast, M.Takada 13+8reb+2ast, E.Mawuli 10+3reb+4ast, S.Sylla 5+3reb, H.Shinohara 5+2reb+4ast

Fujitsu RW - Aishin AW 67-51

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Aishin AW (6-11) lost to first ranked Fujitsu RW (14-2) in Kawasaki 51-67 on Sunday. The winners were led by Nigerian center Mfon Joshua (190-1999) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds and the former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) supported her with 6 points and 11 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds by the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) did not help to save the game for Aishin AW. Guard Sayaka Okamoto (161-1991) added 4 points and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fujitsu RW have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-2 record. Aishin AW lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with 11 games lost. Fujitsu RW will meet Toyota A. (#5) in the next round. Aishin AW will play against Toyota BSR in Aichi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aishin AW: R.Tokashiki 17+11reb+1ast, K.Kondo 9, S.Noguchi 5+6reb, S.Astu 5+3reb, A.Moriguchi 4+3reb+4ast, S.Okamoto 4+3reb+4ast
Fujitsu RW: A.Uchio 17+2reb, M.Joshua 15+12reb, A.Fujimoto 8, R.Akagi 8+1reb, R.Machida 6+4reb+11ast, K.Miyashita 5+3reb+2ast

Toyota A. - Eneos S. 58-69

Everything went according to plan when third ranked Eneos S. (10-5) defeated 5th ranked Toyota A. (6-10) in Nagoya 69-58 on Sunday. Eneos S. made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game, while Toyota A. only scored five points from the stripe. Eneos S. had a 28-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by the former international Saori Miyazaki (167-1995) who scored that evening 10 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (183-1993) supported her with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Five Eneos S. players scored in double figures. Even 8 points and 7 assists by the former international point guard Mai Yamamoto (163-1999) did not help to save the game for Toyota A.. Center Ufuoma Tanaka (181-2002) added 10 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Eneos S. maintains third position with 10-5 record having five points less than leader Fujitsu RW. Loser Toyota A. keeps the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Toyota BSR. Eneos S. will meet at home Chanson V-M (#4) in the next round. Toyota A. will play against the league's leader Fujitsu RW and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyota A.: S.Yasuma 11+1reb+3ast, M.Okamoto 10+5reb, U.Tanaka 10+8reb, M.Yamamoto 8+3reb+7ast, A.Hirashita 5+1reb+1ast, P.Noriko 4+2reb+1ast
Eneos S.: H.Hoshi 13+3reb, O.Mominoka 12+5reb+2ast, M.Nagaoka 11+6reb+3ast, K.Umezawa 10+6reb+1ast, S.Miyazaki 10+9reb+6ast, F.Mako 9+6reb+1ast