LG made 14 three-pointers to stop KCC’s running game.
Changwon LG defeated Busan KCC 101-92 on the road in the 2023-2024 Jungkwanjang Professional Basketball League at Busan Sajik Gymnasium on Feb. 22. With the win, LG, which improved to 34-17, extended its winning streak to nine games and is just one game away from clinching the second spot in the regular season. KCC was unable to extend its two-game winning streak and suffered its 23rd loss (27 points).
KCC was averaging 98.6 points in its last eight games. Their fast-paced offense has been the springboard for many of their points.
LG has given up an average of just 68.5 points in its last eight games. On top of that, they are scoring 87.3 points and have an 18.8 point differential.
Before the game, KCC coach Jeon Chang-jin said, “LG also plays a lot of running basketball,” while LG coach Cho Sang-hyun said, “Lee Seung-hyun and Ragan-ah like to run. If we don’t get pushed back in the fast break, we will have a good result in the 5-on-5 game.”
Both teams were wary of each other’s fast breaks. However, they couldn’t stop each other’s fast breaks. It was an interesting game.
KCC was the first to take the lead. After starting the second quarter with a 24-23 lead, KCC extended their lead to 36-25 thanks to Calvin Epistola’s three-pointers, free throws, and breakthroughs. In the second quarter, KCC extended the lead to 13 points, 50-37, thanks to Lee Seung-hyun.
LG didn’t go down without a fight. Two three-pointers from Lee Kwan-hee and Yang Hong-seok in the final minute of the second quarter helped them pull away.
LG started the third quarter with a three-pointer from Lee Jae-do. It sparked an explosion of seven three-pointers in the third quarter alone for LG, which had made six three-pointers in the first half. Lee Jae-do’s three-pointer made it 69-67, but three free throws from Heo Woong made it 69-70.
At that point, Yoo Yoo-sang grabbed an offensive rebound and scored under the basket. The lead changed hands again. Yoo Yoo-sang assisted Justin Gutang on a fast break before hitting a running three-pointer. LG took the lead for good.
LG cut the deficit to 10 points, 84-74, on a jumper by Gutang with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter.
Leading 94-81, LG scored seven straight points to cut the deficit to 94-88, but five straight points from Asem Marei sealed the victory with a 99-88 lead.
Lee Jae-do finished with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and six assists. Marei added 17 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Jung Hee-jae (16 points, five rebounds, three 3-pointers), Justin Gutang (14 points, two assists, two 3-pointers), Yang Hong-seok (11 points, three rebounds, three assists, three 3-pointers) and Lee Kwan-hee (10 points, three rebounds, two assists) also scored in double figures.
KCC was unable to contain LG’s offense despite strong performances from Heo Woong (26 points, 3 assists), Lee Seung-hyun (19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists), and Ra Gun-ah (16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks).