The KB Stars began their quest for the regular season title with a win over archrival Woori Bank.
KB defeated Woori Bank 60-55 in the Woori WON 2023-2024 Regular Season on Thursday at the Asan Yi Sunshin Gymnasium, led by 17 points apiece from Heo Ye-eun and Park Ji-soo (21 rebounds).
In particular, point guard Heo Ye-eun dished out five assists with her deft passing and scored the 텍사스홀덤 game-winning basket following a crucial steal just before the end of the game.
KB maintained a 1.5-game lead over second-place Woori Bank (14-3) with 16 wins and 2 losses, and with a 3-1 lead in the four head-to-head meetings this season, KB has the advantage regardless of the outcome of the remaining matchup.
In the event of a tie for first place in the final regular season standings, the team with the better head-to-head record will win the title.
Woori Bank held KB’s ace Park Ji-soo scoreless in the first quarter and used its outside shooting to take an 18-16 lead. However, KB turned the tide in the second quarter when Park opened with a three-point play, followed by three-pointers from Kang Isul and Kim Min-jung.
KB entered the third quarter with a 36-25 lead, but back-to-back three-pointers from Woori Bank’s Kim Dan-bi and Na Yoon-jung cut the deficit to 34-40.
Woori Bank suffered a major blow with 3:39 left in the third quarter when Park Ji-hyun, who was leading the team with 11 points, left the court with five fouls.
Unable to close the 10-point gap, Woori Bank pulled within 48-54 midway through the fourth quarter on back-to-back three-pointers by Kim Dan-bi and Na Yoon-jung. With 1:57 left in the game, Lee Myung-kwan hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 55-58, effectively tying the game.
However, with 1:20 left, KB’s Heo Ye-eun stole the ball from Lee Myung-kwan and converted a fast break layup to put a damper on Woori’s furious comeback. With 59 seconds left, KB’s Lee Yoon-mi intercepted Kim Dan-bi’s ball and sealed the 60-55 victory.
Kim Dan-bi finished with 21 points, seven assists, and 11 rebounds, but after teammate Park Ji-hyun was ejected, she struggled to stop KB’s offense on her own.