Denso Iris overwhelm Indian Railways 119-35 in WBLA Group B in Bengaluru

On Tuesday in Bengaluru, Denso Iris (Japan) defeated Indian Railways 119-35 in a Group-B game of the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia. The match was played at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium.

Indian Railways had promised a fight but produced a one-sided performance against the visitors, with the report describing the contest as woefully one-sided. The Indian champion, a 41-time National winner, was outmatched offensively and defensively across multiple areas.

By half-time Denso Iris led 58-18, leaving Indian Railways with an uphill task for any realistic comeback. Nearly every turnover compounded Railways’ problems, as Iris converted turnovers into fast-break points throughout the opening half.

The gulf was especially clear from long range: Iris converted five three-pointers in the first quarter and 10 in the second, exposing Railways’ inability to contain the perimeter attack. Railways also struggled with wayward passes, erratic shooting and a defence that offered little resistance, and the contest threatened to become a rout well before the break.

Denso’s leading scorers were Haruna Kasagi 23, Mnami Yabu 16, Mo Shiraishi 16, Sokhna Sylla 12, Hanami Shinohara 11 and Mai Kawal 10.

Earlier in Group A, Sichuan Yuanda Meile (China) began its campaign with a 92-70 win over Cathay Life Tigers (Tapiei); Australian power forward Sara Blicavs scored 27 and American guard Chennedy Carter 22, and the pair combined for 49 points, more than half of Sichuan’s total.

The results: Group-A: Sichuan Yuanda Meile 92 (Sara Blicavs 27, Chennedy Carter 22, Song Gao 110 bt Cathay Life Tigers 70 (Chu Chu 16, Hui-Ju Liu 14). B: Denso Iris (Jpn) 119 (Haruna Kasagi 23, Mnami Yabu 16, Mo Shiraishi 16, Sokhna Sylla 12, Hanami Shinohara 11, Mai Kawal 10) bt Indian Railways 35.