KCC moved to Busan, but Heo Woong (30, KCC) remained popular and skilled.
Busan KCC defeated Changwon LG 91-89 in the second round of the group stage of the 2023 MG New Village Bank KBL Cup at Wolmyeong Gymnasium in Gunsan at 2 p.m. on the 13th. With two wins, KCC advances to the quarterfinals and will face KT on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. for a spot in the finals. LG finished the tournament with a 1-1 record.
KCC, which moved from Jeonju to Busan, played the cup in Gunsan, its second home. Ragan-ah and Lee Seung-hyun returned from the national team. KCC started with Lee Ho-hyun, Heo Woong, Choi Jun-yong, Lee Seung-hyun, and Alize DeShawn Johnson. LG countered with Yang Jun-seok, Yoon Won-sang, Jung In-duk, Jung Hee-jae, and Asem Marei.
LG paired second-year center Yang Jun-seok with this year's third-round pick, Yoo Yoo-sang. The addition of the two Yonsei seniors rejuvenated LG's backcourt. Yang Jun-seok's strength lies in his mid-range jump shot, and he scored six points. 바카라사이트 Yoo Yoo-sang also hit a jump shot from a difficult position in the corner. KCC countered with two three-pointers from Heo Woong. LG took the lead in the first quarter, 21-19.
Ragan-ah, who had traveled with the national team, only rode a bicycle due to poor physical condition. Johnson, the new foreign player, exploded for 11 points in the second quarter. He even scored on a fastbreak layup by Choi Jun-yong. Johnson's performance helped KCC take a 39-25 lead midway through the second quarter.
After returning from injury, Marey was playing for Egypt in the offseason and at the Basketball World Cup. He didn't have it easy against Johnson. He became irritated when a foul call was not called and was replaced. Shaken, LG fell behind by 20 points, 30-50, late in the second quarter.
KCC experimented with Lagunia early in the third quarter. It was clear that he had lost speed and stamina compared to his prime. KCC couldn't even get him the ball when he wanted it. Lagana scored four points in four minutes before heading to the bench. When Johnson came back in, KCC's game came alive. Heung's three-pointer gave KCC a 75-56 lead after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Lee Kwan-hee came out of nowhere to make it a close game. Lee hit a three-pointer with 1:06 left in regulation. LG cut the lead to 86-89. LG had the offense, but Lee Kwan-hee's shot missed. With 21 seconds left, Choi Jun-yong missed two free throws.
Lee Kwan-hee's layup rebounded off the rim. Ragan A grabbed a defensive rebound with 7.8 seconds left in the game. Ragan made two free throws to end the game. Lee Kwan-hee fought to the end and hit a final three-pointer.
Heo finished with 27 points (5-of-7 from three-point range). Johnson recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Choi Jun-yong added 12 points and seven rebounds.
For LG, Lee Kwan-hee, who was scoreless through three quarters, exploded for 21 points (5-of-11 from three-point range) in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late.
