Busan KCC has won three straight games for the first time this season, improving its winning percentage to 5 percent.
KCC won 69-61 against Goyang Sono in the third round of the 2023-24 Jungkwanjang Pro Basketball League at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on Sunday, thanks to a strong fourth quarter from Ragan-ah and Song Gyo-chang.
With its fourth straight home win, KCC improved to 9-9 on the season with a 5.5 percent winning percentage and moved into fifth place, half a game ahead of Anyang Jeonggwanjang. Sono, 텍사스홀덤 which lost its fifth straight game, dropped to 8-13 in eighth place.
KCC took an early lead through Alize DeShawn Johnson. Lee Seung-hyun, who started the game, also contributed in the paint. KCC ended the first half with a 40-34 lead after a pair of free throws by Heo Woong-Song Kyo-chang.
Despite their physical strength, KCC’s outside shooting accuracy was poor and they were unable to protect their lead in the second half. They allowed SONO, led by Chinanu Onuaku, Han Ho-bin, and Kim Kang-sun, to pull within 55-57 midway through the fourth quarter.
However, KCC took a six-point lead with just over a minute left in the game, thanks to a Ragan-A three-pointer and a dunk by Song Kyo-chang.
KCC was led by Johnson’s second straight double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Song Kyo-chang also added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ragan added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Heo Woong chipped in with 11 points and five assists.
Without Lee Jeong-hyun, SONO was led by Kim Min-wook (15 points, 9 rebounds) and Onuaku (12 points, 11 rebounds), but it was painful to see Jeon Sung-hyun fail to make a single three-pointer and finish with just two points. A depleted Sono was unable to capitalize in the final minutes of the game.
KCC brought home the valuable result of a home win after catching the leading Wonju DB on the 15th, but struggled until the end as their outside shots didn’t fall. It is clear that the team is reviving, but the performance of KCC, which was called a ‘super team’ before the start of the season as a strong favorite, is still below expectations.