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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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Cheongju KB Stars showed their fighting spirit. But it didn't cross the last wall.
Cheongju KB Stars lost 78-83 in the third place match of the '2025 Park Shin-ja Cup' against Casa Demont Zaragoza of Spain at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 7th. KB made 11 3-pointers in the first half alone. He rewrote the record of the most three-point shots in the first half of the Park Shin-ja Cup. However, he was pushed from the height and took the defeat. With this, KB finished the competition in fourth place.
It was an opportunity to reap the 'beauty of the end'. KB unfortunately lost 73 to 78 in the semifinal match against Fujitsu Red Wave (Japan) on the 6th. At one point in the game, they were pushed to 21 points, but they showed a fierce background. But there was not enough time to turn the game around. In the end, they were pushed to the third and fourth place final. Zaragoza also lost to Denso Iris (Japan) 64:70 in the semifinals.
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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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The two teams showed a 180 degree different style of basketball. In the first quarter, Zaragoza dug under the basket with his height and power. Nadia Pingal, a tall center at 1m91, scored 10 points alone in 7 minutes and 9 seconds. KB was aiming for the outside edge. It had 14 3-pointers and six throws (43 percent success rate). Kang Yi-seul showed his concentration by driving three 3-pointers. KB closed with a 22-19 lead.
In the second quarter, Zaragoza's basket shone. He grabbed rebounds one after another and easily gained an attack opportunity. It turned the tables 30-27. KB called in the operation time to clear up the battle line. Heo Ye tied the score 37-37 with Na Yoon-jung's back-to-back score. A tight game ensued. Zaragoza laughed from the back. Raia Flores' buzzer-beater 3-pointer came in a 43-43 tie. Zaragoza led the first half 46-43.
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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
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The score gap widened in the second half. Zaragoza scored easily with his height. While Zaragoza grabbed 10 rebounds in the third quarter, KB had only four. Zaragoza closed the quarter with a 67-53 run.
In the last quarter, KB chased after Kang Yi-seul with two consecutive 3-pointers. However, he soon faced a large variable. KB left the stadium early in the fourth quarter when Song Ha-yoon was pushed 59-69. KB called in the operation time to clear up the battle line. KB shook the opponent with a momentary pressure defense. Heo Ye-eun raised the mood by getting the opponent's U-Paul, and Kang Yi-seul cheered with a neat 3-point shot. KB caught up to 73-76 with 4:17 left in the game.
Zaragoza cut the flow of KB by requesting the operation time. There was a chase after the chase. KB utilized the last operation time with 1:32 left before the end of the game. However, the height of Zaragoza could not be easily crossed. KB ended the game without overturning the victory or defeat.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
