Anyang KGC's winning streak ends at 10 games

Kim Sun-hyung of Anyang KGC, left, dribbles during a KBL game against the Seoul SK Knights at Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium in Songpa District, southern Seoul on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The KBL league leaders Anyang KGC’s 10 game winning-streak was cut short on Sunday when they lost 85-79 to the Seoul SK Knights at Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium in Songpa District in southern Seoul.

KGC have been the most successful team in the league this season, winning 33 of 45 games. They had marked the first 10 game winning-streak in the club’s history last Friday with a victory over the Jeonju KCC Egis, but could not maintain that momentum on Sunday.

The game started with the SK Knights grabbing an early lead, taking the first quarter 26-20. The league leaders attempted to turn things around in the second quarter, but could not do so and ended the quarter down by the same margin, 45-39.

KGC’s attacking duo of Byeon Jun-hyeong and Oh Sek-eun scored multiple points during the third quarter and had pulled in front 57-56 by the middle of the third quarter, but KGC conceded a number of points to Jameel Warney and Kim Sun-hyung in the final minute to end the quarter 65-63.

It came down to whether KGC could find a late breakthrough in the fourth quarter to mark their 11th win in a row. The quarter was neck-and-neck as the two sides looked to secure a victory.

KGC managed to take the lead again, up 73-72, in the middle of the fourth quarter, but failed to block the Seoul side’s attacks thereafter. Choi Bu-kyung of the Knights was key to his team’s attacks in the last moments of the quarter. He scored two points at 81-79 and also managed a block to pass the ball to Choi Won-hyuk who then converted it for two points to end the game 85-79.

Choi Bu-kyung scored 12 points in the game, while his teammates Kim Sun-hyung recorded 20 and Warney was the top scorer with 25.

Although KGC lost, the Anyang side’s attack was comparable to their opponent’s, with Byeon scoring 12, Oh recording 17 and Omari Spellman 20.

Sunday’s loss did not change either side’s standings on the KBL table. KGC remained at the top with their winning rate at 0.733 and the SK Knights stayed in third place with a winning rate at 0.614.

With the win over the league leaders, the SK Knights extended their winning-streak to four games. They have been on a solid run despite a tight schedule, playing five games from Feb. 12 to Sunday.

KGC played just one game less than the Seoul side during the same period. The league leaders will play their next game against Daegu Kogas Pegasus at Anyang Gymnasium in Anyang, Gyeonggi on Sunday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]