Clutch performances by Lee Joo-young and Kang Sung-wook helped South Korea win the first game of the tournament.
South Korea’s men’s national team defeated Japan’s men’s national team 64-57 in the first round of the 47th Korea-Japan University Selection Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
South Korea opened the game with a 7-0 run, led by Lee Ju-young’s free throws and a three-pointer. Lee Dae-gyun’s basket off an assist by Kang Sung-wook and a fast break putback by Kang continued the run. Korea’s stifling defense kept Japan off the scoreboard, and a free throw by Kim Bo-bae extended the lead to 21-11 at 카지노 the end of the first quarter.
Korea’s momentum continued in the second quarter. A surprise three-pointer by Choi Kang-min gave Korea a 15-point lead. A pick-and-roll by Choi Kang-min and Lee Dae-gyun led to a basket by Lee Dae-gyun. A three-pointer by Lee Dong-geun extended the lead to more than 20 points and Korea closed the half with a 41-19 lead.
The third quarter began with Japan trying to catch up. While Korea’s offense was stagnant to start the third quarter, Japan responded with back-to-back baskets from Harper and Sato to cut the deficit to 41-28 just over three minutes in. Lee Ju-young answered back with a basket, but Japan clawed their way back to within eight points with an alley-oop and-one from Saki Alim and a basket from Anthony. Korea fought back with free throws from Lee Dong-geun and fast break points from Choi Kang-min to maintain their lead, and the third quarter ended with Korea leading 49-42.
The rest of the game was a back-and-forth affair with Japan trying to catch up and Korea trying to run away.
After a jumper by Lee Ju-young gave South Korea a nine-point lead, a fast break basket by Kang Sung-wook gave them a double-digit lead midway through the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Lee Ju-young cut the Korean lead to 61-48 with 4:30 left. Kang Sung-wook followed with a steal and a left-handed layup to give Korea a 63-48 lead.
Korea then fended off Japan’s late surge, but a series of turnovers on the frontcourt defense cut the lead to 63-57 with just over a minute left. However, Yoo Min-soo converted both free throws after being fouled with 23.4 seconds left to make it 65-57 and seal the game.