Set aside an eight-game losing streak in the fall, and the expansion Fukushima Firebonds have played nearly .500 ball so far in their inaugural bj-league season.
In addition, the Firebonds collected a hard-earned 79-74 home victory over the Eastern Conference heavyweight Iwate Big Bulls on Friday night in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture.
Coach Hiroki Fujita has guided the Firebonds (9-18 overall) to seven victories in their past 15 games. They are now in ninth place in the 12-team East, and with eight teams in each conference advancing to the playoffs this season for the first time, they have put themselves in position to contend for a playoff berth despite a 1-9 start.