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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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Everyone was the ace. It was a game that clearly showed why SK had only two steps left to win the championship.
Seoul SK, led by head coach Jeon Hee-chul, won 89-69 in the home game of the '2024-2025 KCC Professional Basketball' against Daegu Korea Gas Corporation at Jamsil Student Gymnasium on the 9th. Kim Sun-hyung was responsible for 22 points. Jamil Warney had 18 points and nine rebounds. Ahn Young-joon achieved a triple double (11 points-10 rebounds-10 assists). SK (36 wins and 8 losses) has won five consecutive games. It reduced the 'magic number' to '2' until the victory. On the other hand, Korea Gas Corporation (22 wins and 21 losses) has lost three consecutive games.
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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They were two teams with a 180 degree different atmosphere. SK has recently won four games in a row and has been moving toward the top. He had the advantage with three wins and one loss against Korea Gas Corporation this season. Korea Gas Corporation, on the other hand, was losing two consecutive games. Above all, Korea Gas Corporation was in a situation where Shin Seung-min's 'talk-to-answer controversy' took place earlier.
Ahead of the showdown, SK manager Jeon Hee-chul said, `Korea Gas Corporation is a team that tries a lot of three-point shots. There is also a high probability of success. Especially when Andrew Nicholson plays against us, he looks better. You have to be prepared. It is difficult to follow if the opponent scores a series of 3-pointers at the beginning of the game. The first quarter is very important. We must prevent it as much as possible."
Kang Hyuk, the head coach of Korea Gas Corporation, said "SK is the No. 1 team. The defense is strong in quick attack. The fastball should be properly cut with a foul and the number should be reduced. Jamil Warney and Ahn Young-joon's offense should be reduced. Warnie is a player who can score basic points no matter how he blocks it. Ahn Young-joon also said, "(Players) should take turns to stop him."
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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The game has begun. Contrary to expectations, SK overpowered its opponent with an outer gun. In the first quarter alone, he threw 10 3-pointers and made six. Kim Sun-hyung tried three times and showed his concentration by putting all three in. Oh Jae-hyun (two) and Ahn Young-joon (one) also contributed. Rather, Korea Gas Corporation attempted six three-point shots and succeeded in only two. SK led 30-23.
In the second quarter, SK showed an extreme defense. He stopped his opponent's attack for the second time in a row. SK, which preheated its fingertips, scored points one by one by one as the team evenly opened the scoring. Isaiah Hicks and Warney each scored eight points to lead the offense. On the other hand, Korea Gas Corporation's success rate of field goals in the second quarter was only 18%. SK achieved a double score of 58-29 with about 30 seconds left in the second quarter. SK finished the first half with a big lead of 60-32.
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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| Photo courtesy=KBL |
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At the beginning of the second half, Korea Gas Corporation gained strength. Nicholson was on the offensive. SK did not easily back down. Kim Sun-hyung and Warney alternately scored to drive the opponent. On top of that, Ahn Young-joon added a sharp pass. SK led 78-50 in the third quarter.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
