Analysis · Japanese B.League · Round 8 · 2026/2027
Hiroshima hold their nerve to end San-en's unbeaten start 77-75
A level fourth quarter was enough for the Dragonflies, who protected the edge built in the second period and moved to 9-0 behind Kofi Cockburn's 16 points and 16 rebounds.
C, Hiroshima · Hiroshima 77-75 San-en
Kofi Cockburn
Hiroshima DragonfliesJapanese B.League
- Points
- 16
- Rebounds
- 16
- Assists
- 0
- Threes
- 0/0
- PIR
- 15
Source: TeamKeys, 2026-10-19
How Hiroshima held on in the fourth quarter against San-en
Hiroshima held on by matching San-en point for point in a 15-15 fourth quarter, protecting the narrow edge they carried into the final period. The game was decided by 2 points.
With neither side able to pull away, the margins came from the free-throw line and the glass. Cockburn went 8/12 from the line, while San-en's Ryusei Sasaki finished 2/6 and Josh Harrellson 0/2.
Hiroshima's frontcourt also controlled the boards. Cockburn collected 16 rebounds, Nick Mayo 10 and Dwayne Evans 9, giving the hosts extra possessions in a game where every one counted.
| Quarter | Hiroshima | San-en |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 22 | 26 |
| Q2 | 30 | 14 |
| Q3 | 10 | 20 |
| Q4 | 15 | 15 |
The second quarter that set up Hiroshima's win
The second quarter won the game for Hiroshima, who outscored San-en 30-14 after trailing 22-26 at the end of the first. That burst built the lead the rest of the night was spent defending.
San-en answered strongly after the break, taking the third quarter 20-10 to drag the game back to a one-possession contest. Sasaki was central to the visitors' play with 15 points, 7 assists and 3/5 from three.
Vitto Brown added 14 points for San-en and Hayato Wakugawa gave 9 off the bench in 17 minutes. The fightback stopped just short, as the fourth quarter finished level.
Kofi Cockburn's double-double for Hiroshima
Kofi Cockburn carried Hiroshima with 16 points and 16 rebounds in 33 minutes. It was a hard-earned line, built on 8/12 free throws after a 4/12 night from inside the arc.
His scoring sat below his season average of 22.9 points across 8 games, but his rebounding beat his average of 12.9. Cockburn ranks 71st of 181 rated players in the league by TeamKeys Rating.
He had support. Evans, ranked 9th of 181 by TeamKeys Rating, added 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Mayo chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.
| Player | Points | PIR |
|---|---|---|
| Kofi Cockburn (Hiroshima) | 16 | 15 |
| Dwayne Evans (Hiroshima) | 15 | 15 |
| Ryusei Sasaki (San-en) | 15 | 15 |
| Nick Mayo (Hiroshima) | 12 | 14 |
| Hayato Wakugawa (San-en) | 9 | 12 |
| Ryosei Sato (Hiroshima) | 7 | 10 |
What the result means for Hiroshima and San-en in the B.League table
Hiroshima stay unbeaten at 9-0 and sit second of 26, behind Nagoya Diamond Dolphins at 7-0. Their form now reads five straight wins.
The Dragonflies host no let-up in pace, with Levanga Hokkaido next on 24 October. Alvark Tokyo at 8-1 and Kyoto at 7-1 are close behind them in the table.
San-en drop to 5-1 and fifth place after their first defeat of the season. They meet Kobe Storks on 24 October, looking to restart a run that had brought four straight wins.
Figures taken from the game box score and the Japanese B.League standings for the 2026/2027 regular season.
Questions people ask
What was the score of Hiroshima Dragonflies vs San-En Neophoenix?
Hiroshima Dragonflies beat San-En Neophoenix 77-75 at home in round 8 of the Japanese B.League on 19 October 2026. The quarters went 22-26, 30-14, 10-20 and 15-15, and the result handed San-en their first defeat of the season.
Who was the best player in Hiroshima vs San-en?
Kofi Cockburn led Hiroshima with 16 points and 16 rebounds in 33 minutes, including 8/12 from the free-throw line. Dwayne Evans added 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Ryusei Sasaki was San-en's top performer with 15 points and 7 assists.
Where are Hiroshima Dragonflies in the B.League standings?
After beating San-en 77-75, Hiroshima Dragonflies are 9-0 and second of 26 teams in the Japanese B.League, behind Nagoya Diamond Dolphins at 7-0. They have won their last five games and play Levanga Hokkaido next on 24 October 2026.
When do San-En Neophoenix play next?
San-En Neophoenix play Kobe Storks on 24 October 2026. They go into that game at 5-1 and fifth in the Japanese B.League after the 77-75 loss at Hiroshima, which was their first defeat of the 2026/2027 season.
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