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| Photo: KBL |
[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil] Busan KCC grabbed control of the best-of-five semifinal series.
On April 24 at Anyang Jeonggwanjang Arena, KCC routed Anyang Jeonggwanjang 91-75 in Game 1 of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Pro Basketball semifinals.
Taking Game 1 on the road gave KCC a 1-0 lead and put them in a strong position. Historically, the Game 1 winner in the semifinals advances to the finals 78.6% of the time (44 of 56 series).
KCC had gone 1-5 against Anyang during the regular season, but they dominated this matchup and pulled off a statement win.
The loss at home puts extra pressure on Anyang for the rest of the series.
Shawn Long was the catalyst for KCC, finishing with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Choi Jun-yong added 21 points and 9 rebounds, Heo Ung scored 15, Song Kyo-chang chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Heo Hoon added 9.
For Anyang, Johnny O’Bryant finished with 18 points and 6 rebounds, Renz Abando had 12 points and 6 rebounds, and Park Ji-hoon and Jeon Seong-hyun scored 12 apiece, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat.
KCC attacked from the opening tip, exposing gaps in Anyang’s defense with heavy perimeter shooting. Heo Hoon, Heo Ung, Choi Jun-yong and Song all knocked down outside shots in succession. Anyang countered late in the first when Jeon Seong-hyun hit consecutive baskets, but KCC closed the quarter up 31-25.
Anyang pushed back in the second quarter. KCC stretched the lead to 42-33 at one point, but O’Bryant and Abando cut into the deficit. KCC still led 46-43 at halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. Han Seung-hee buried a 3 to tie it at 46, but KCC answered immediately. Back-to-back baskets from Shawn Long and Choi Jun-yong quickly pushed the lead into double digits. Despite Anyang’s efforts, KCC finished the period up 71-61.
Riding that momentum, KCC maintained a double-digit margin in the fourth. Midway through the quarter Long’s consecutive scores extended the lead to 86-66 — a 20-point gap. KCC then controlled the closing minutes and closed out the game 91-75.
[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
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