Changwon LG exploded from three-point range to extend its winning streak to nine games for the first time in nine years.
The team defeated Busan KCC 101-92 in the regular season finale of the 2023-2024 Jungkwanjang Professional Basketball League at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan on Feb. 22.
With the win, LG extended its winning streak to nine games for the first time since 2015 and consolidated second place with a 34-17 record on the season. They are now two-and-a-half games behind third-place Suwon KT. LG only needs to win one of its remaining three games to clinch second place in the league on its own and head directly to the four-team playoffs.
KCC, on the other hand, finished the season with four wins and two losses against LG, leaving them in fifth place with 27 points and 23 losses. They have two games in hand on fourth-place Seoul SK.
KCC took control early on. Ragan-ah was active under the basket, while Heo Woong added to the scoring. LG tried to respond with Lee Kwan-hee and Yang Hong-seok inside and out, but it wasn’t enough. The first half ended with LG trailing 43-52.
The third quarter was a tale of two halves. LG completely changed the game, hitting seven three-pointers in 10 minutes and revitalized their offense. KCC seemed to panic and started to dry up their offense. LG scored 35 points in the third quarter alone to take a 78-72 lead.
In the final quarter, KCC made a furious charge. Heo Woong scored 12 points by himself and dreamed of a comeback. But LG didn’t falter. There was some bad news when Jung Hee-jae was ejected with five fouls with four minutes left in the game, but it wasn’t fatal. LG secured the victory behind even scoring from Asem Marei, Lee Jae-do, and Justin Gutang.
Lee Jae-do was dominant with 20 points and six assists, while Marei recorded a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Jung Hee-jae (16 points), Gutang (14 points), Yang Hong-seok (11 points) and Lee Kwan-hee (10 points) also scored in double figures. KCC was led by Heo Woong 안전놀이터 and Lee Seung-hyun with 26 and 19 points, respectively.
At Goyang Sono Arena, the Goyang Sono defeated the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis 102-87 in overtime. The SONO had already been eliminated from the playoffs, but the three-game winning streak was a consolation for the home fans.
Once again, Lee Jung-hyun put on a one-man show, as the reigning regular-season Most Valuable Player (MVP) scored 38 points, including seven 3-pointers, and dished out eight assists. Chinanu Onuaku also had a monster game with 27 points and 23 rebounds.
Hyundai Mobis made a late comeback to extend the game, but fell apart in the final minutes. They gave up 18 points in the final five minutes and managed just three points. Gage Prim led the way with 27 points and 17 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.