The Hiroshima Dragonflies opened their home schedule in emphatic fashion on Friday night, defeating the Kobe Storks 96-73 in B1 League action at a lively Hiroshima Sun Plaza. A balanced offensive display and a decisive second-quarter run powered the Dragonflies to a comfortable victory, moving them to 2-0 on the young season while handing the Storks their second straight defeat.

Hiroshima led from the opening minutes and never trailed after the midway point of the first quarter. By halftime the advantage had grown to 15 points, and a dominant third-quarter stretch turned the contest into a rout. The final scoreline flattered Kobe slightly, as Hiroshima emptied its bench late and allowed a handful of consolation baskets in the closing minutes.

Match Overview

Final Score: Hiroshima Dragonflies 96, Kobe Storks 73
Date: October 2, 2026
Tip-off: 18:30 local time
Venue: Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima
Competition: B1 League regular season

Hiroshima came out with clear intent on both ends. The Dragonflies pushed the pace early, attacked the rim through their frontcourt, and forced Kobe into difficult half-court possessions. The Storks stayed within striking distance for much of the first quarter, but once Hiroshima's bench extended the defensive pressure, the game tilted permanently in the home team's favor.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First Quarter: Hiroshima 24, Kobe 18
• Second Quarter: Hiroshima 26, Kobe 17
• Third Quarter: Hiroshima 25, Kobe 19
• Fourth Quarter: Hiroshima 21, Kobe 19
• Final: Hiroshima 96, Kobe 73

The second quarter was the turning point. Hiroshima opened the period with a 12-2 run, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from the wing. Kobe called timeout, but the stoppage did little to slow the Dragonflies' momentum. Hiroshima's ball movement carved up the Storks' zone defense, and the home side went into the locker room with a 50-35 cushion.

Key Moments

The most damaging sequence for Kobe came midway through the third quarter. Leading 61-44, Hiroshima rattled off nine unanswered points in under two minutes. The run featured a steal-and-dunk in transition, a corner three, and a put-back after an offensive rebound. By the time the dust settled, the Dragonflies held a 70-44 lead and the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Kobe showed brief signs of life early in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 18 behind a pair of quick baskets from its bench guards. But Hiroshima responded with a methodical possession that ended in an and-one, snuffing out any realistic comeback hopes. The final minutes allowed both coaches to empty their benches and give younger players valuable B1 League minutes.

Tactical Story

Defense and rebounding were the foundation of Hiroshima's win. The Dragonflies held Kobe to just 35 first-half points and forced 14 turnovers overall, many of which turned into easy transition opportunities. Hiroshima also controlled the glass, finishing with a decisive advantage in total rebounds and second-chance points.

Offensively, Hiroshima's spacing was excellent. The Dragonflies shot efficiently from beyond the arc and consistently found open cutters against Kobe's rotations. When the Storks tried to switch screens, Hiroshima punished mismatches in the post. When Kobe went small, Hiroshima's guards attacked the paint with confidence.

For Kobe, the problems were familiar. The Storks struggled to generate clean looks in the half court, settled for contested mid-range jumpers, and had no answer for Hiroshima's defensive intensity. Their offense improved slightly when they played through the high post, but the deficit was already too large to overcome.

Standout Players

• Hiroshima Dragonflies: Ryo Terashima paced the attack with 22 points and 7 assists, controlling tempo and knocking down timely shots. Kerry Blackshear Jr. added 18 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Nick Mayo contributed 15 points and 6 rebounds. Takuto Nakamura chipped in 12 points off the bench, including three three-pointers.
• Kobe Storks: Marcus Armstrong led the visitors with 19 points, though he needed 17 shots to get there. Sota Okada added 14 points and 5 rebounds, and Naoya Kumagae finished with 11 points. The Storks' bench was outscored 34-21 by Hiroshima's reserves.

Hiroshima's balanced scoring was a key storyline. Five players reached double figures, and the team recorded 24 assists on 36 made field goals. That level of sharing suggests the Dragonflies are already building strong chemistry in the early weeks of the campaign.

Season Impact and B1 League Standings