KBL Round 40 (Regular Season): Wonju DB edge Seoul Knights by one point

The Regular Season in KBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fourth-ranked Knights (29-21) made lots of trouble for first ranked Wonju DB (39-12) in Seoul on Thursday. The visitors from Wonju managed to secure only one-point victory 84-83. However their fans expected easier game. Wonju DB outrebounded Seoul Knights 44-32 including 33 on the defensive glass. Wonju DB looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American guard Ethan Alvano (185-1996, college: CSUSM) fired 25 points and 8 assists for the winners. The former international forward SangJae Kang (202-1994) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Knights' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Wonju DB maintains first position with 39-12 record. Seoul Knights lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 21 games lost. Wonju DB are looking forward to face Sono SG (#8) in Daegu in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Seoul Knights will play at home against Suwon KT (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game was between eighth ranked Sono SG and higher ranked Knights where Sono SG (18-34) won against Knights (29-21) on the road 75-62. Worth to mention a great performance of Nigerian-American center Chinanu Onuaku (207-1996, college: Louisville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 26 rebounds and 4 assists. Jeong-Hyeon Lee contributed with 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals for the winners. American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) replied with 6 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for Knights. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sono SG have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 18-34 record. Seoul Knights lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 21 games lost. Sono SG will play against league's leader Wonju DB on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Seoul Knights will play against Suwon KT and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Daegu was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Mobis Phoebus (25-25) played at the court of eighth ranked Skygunners (18-34). Skygunners defeated Mobis Phoebus 102-87 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Chinanu Onuaku who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 23 rebounds and 7 assists. At the losing side Gaige Prim responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Skygunners have a solid three-game winning streak. Sono SG maintains eighth position with 18-34 record. Mobis Phoebus at the other side keep the sixth place with 25 games lost. Sono SG will meet league's leader Wonju DB on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Mobis Phoebus will play against the league's second-placed LG Sakers (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.

Rest of the games of round 40 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Anyang was crushed by LG Sakers in Changwon 94-70. Anyang beat KoGas at home 85-70. LG Sakers won against KCC Egis on the opponent's court 101-92. KCC Egis managed to outperform Seoul Thunders in a home game 98-85.
The best stats of 40th round was 20 points and 10 rebounds by Guna Ra of KCC Egis.



LG Sakers - Anyang 94-70

There was no surprise in Changwon where 9th ranked Anyang (16-34) was crushed by second ranked Sakers (35-16) 94-70 on Tuesday. LG Sakers outrebounded Anyang 50-25 including a 22-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. LG Sakers looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Anyang's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Egyptian center Assem Marei (206-1992, college: MSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international point guard Jae-Do Lee (180-1991) who added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Four Sakers players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international point guard Jihoon Park (184-1995) responded with 11 points and 5 assists and the former international forward Byung-Jun Bae (188-1990) scored 15 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sakers have an impressive nine-game winning streak. LG Sakers maintains second position with 35-16 record having four points less than leader Wonju DB. Defending champion Anyang keeps the ninth place with 34 games lost. LG Sakers will meet Mobis Phoebus (#6) in the next round. Anyang will play against the league's leader Wonju DB and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
LG Sakers: A.Marei 17+15reb+6ast, S.Yugi 14+7reb, H.Yang 13+8reb+2ast, J.Lee 12+6reb+8ast, H.Jeong 9+5reb+3ast, L.Kwan-hee 8+1reb+1ast
Anyang: B.Bae 15+1reb, J.Park 11+3reb+5ast, J.Wilson 9+4reb+1ast, C.Sung-Won 9+1reb+1ast, J.Lee 6+4reb, R.Carter 6+3reb+2ast

Seoul Knights - Sono SG 62-75

Another exciting game was between eighth ranked Sono SG and higher ranked Knights where Sono SG (18-34) won against Knights (29-21) on the road 75-62. Skygunners outrebounded Knights 54-33 including a 38-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Skygunners players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Nigerian-American center Chinanu Onuaku (207-1996, college: Louisville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 26 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Jeong-Hyeon Lee (187-1999) contributed with 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals for the winners. American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) replied with 6 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international guard Sun-Hyung Kim (187-1988) added 14 points and 6 assists in the effort for Knights. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sono SG have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 18-34 record. Seoul Knights lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 21 games lost. Sono SG will play against league's leader Wonju DB on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Seoul Knights will play against Suwon KT and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sono SG: L.Jeong-Hyeon 34+6reb+9ast, C.Onuaku 21+26reb+4ast, M.Kim 11+5reb, H.Jun-hoo 5+7reb+1ast, S.Jeon 4+4reb+5ast, B.Jiwoong 0
Seoul Knights: S.Kim 14+2reb+6ast, Y.An 10+3reb, K.Hyung-Bin 9+2reb, J.Warney 6+12reb+5ast, S.Oh 6+8reb+1ast, I.Heo 4+1reb

Anyang - KoGas 85-70

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Anyang (16-34) defeated at home 7th ranked KoGas (20-31) 85-70 on Thursday. Anyang looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Hyo-Geun Jeong (200-1993) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and American Robert Carter (206-1994, college: Maryland) who added 18 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Canadian Andrew Nicholson (206-1989, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 26 points and 8 rebounds and forward Seung-Min Shin (195-1998) scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion maintains ninth position with 16-34 record. KoGas at the other side keep the seventh place with 31 games lost. Anyang will meet league's leader Wonju DB on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. KoGas will play against Suwon KT (#3) in Busan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Anyang: H.Jeong 20+2reb+2ast, R.Carter 18+5reb+1ast, K.Kim 12+6reb+2ast, J.Park 11+3reb+6ast, B.Bae 7+2reb+5ast, J.Wilson 6+2reb
KoGas: A.Nicholson 26+8reb+2ast, S.Seung-Min 17+5reb+5ast, S.Juyoung 11+5reb+4ast, D.Maxwell 10+5reb, J.Yang 6+1ast, C.Joo-Young 0+1reb

Seoul Knights - Wonju DB 83-84

Fourth-ranked Knights (29-21) made lots of trouble for first ranked Wonju DB (39-12) in Seoul on Thursday. The visitors from Wonju managed to secure only one-point victory 84-83. However their fans expected easier game. Wonju DB outrebounded Seoul Knights 44-32 including 33 on the defensive glass. Wonju DB looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American guard Ethan Alvano (185-1996, college: CSUSM) fired 25 points and 8 assists for the winners. The former international forward SangJae Kang (202-1994) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Alvano is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Wonju DB players scored in double figures. American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international guard Sun-Hyung Kim (187-1988) added 24 points respectively for lost side. Knights' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Wonju DB maintains first position with 39-12 record. Seoul Knights lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 21 games lost. Wonju DB are looking forward to face Sono SG (#8) in Daegu in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Seoul Knights will play at home against Suwon KT (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Wonju DB: E.Alvano 25+2reb+8ast, S.Kang 20+7reb+6ast, H.Yoo 10+4reb+3ast, J.Withey 10+17reb+1ast, P.In-Woong 8+5reb+1ast, D.Lawson 4+4reb+2ast
Seoul Knights: J.Warney 27+11reb+6ast, S.Kim 24+1reb+1ast, Y.An 9+4reb+1ast, W.Yaung 6+1reb, K.Hyung-Bin 5+2reb, W.Choi 5+5reb+5ast

Sono SG - Mobis Phoebus 102-87

The game in Daegu was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Mobis Phoebus (25-25) played at the court of eighth ranked Skygunners (18-34). Skygunners defeated Mobis Phoebus 102-87 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Nigerian-American center Chinanu Onuaku (207-1996, college: Louisville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 23 rebounds and 7 assists and forward Jeong-Hyeon Lee (187-1999) who added 38 points (!!!) and 8 assists (made all of his seven free throws) during the contest. Four Skygunners players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Gaige Prim (203-1999, college: Missouri St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists and international forward Woosuk Lee (196-1999) scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Skygunners have a solid three-game winning streak. Sono SG maintains eighth position with 18-34 record. Mobis Phoebus at the other side keep the sixth place with 25 games lost. Sono SG will meet league's leader Wonju DB on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Mobis Phoebus will play against the league's second-placed LG Sakers (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Sono SG: L.Jeong-Hyeon 38+3reb+8ast, C.Onuaku 27+23reb+7ast, M.Kim 12+2reb+1ast, H.Jun-hoo 12+3reb+2ast, J.Kim 7+1reb, B.Jiwoong 5+2reb
Mobis Phoebus: G.Prim 27+17reb+5ast, L.Woosuk 17+6reb+3ast, P.Moobeen 17+2reb+3ast, M.Shin 7+3reb+3ast, J.Ham 6+2reb+2ast, G.Kim 4+2reb

KCC Egis - LG Sakers 92-101

Rather expected game in Jeonju where 5th ranked Egis (26-24) were defeated by second ranked Sakers (35-16) 101-92 on Friday. LG Sakers looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Egyptian center Assem Marei (206-1992, college: MSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and the former international point guard Jae-Do Lee (180-1991) who added 20 points and 6 assists during the contest. Five Sakers players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international guard Ung Heo (183-1993) responded with 26 points (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) and the former international forward Guna Ra (203-1989, college: Missouri) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Sakers have an impressive nine-game winning streak. LG Sakers maintains second position with 35-16 record having four points less than leader Wonju DB. Loser Egis keep the fifth place with 24 games lost. LG Sakers will meet Mobis Phoebus (#6) in the next round. KCC Egis will play against Seoul Thunders and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
LG Sakers: J.Lee 20+2reb+6ast, A.Marei 17+16reb+4ast, H.Jeong 16+5reb, J.Gutang 14+1reb+2ast, H.Yang 11+3reb+3ast, L.Kwan-hee 10+3reb+2ast
KCC Egis: U.Heo 26+3ast, S.Lee 19+6reb+2ast, G.Ra 16+10reb+2ast, C.Epistola 9+2reb+1ast, L.Hohyun 9+1reb+4ast, C.Jung 5+2reb+4ast

KCC Egis - Seoul Thunders 98-85

Very predictable result in Jeonju where fifth ranked Egis (26-24) beat bottom-ranked Samsung Thunders (14-37) 98-85 on Wednesday. KCC Egis looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Guna Ra (203-1989, college: Missouri) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and American Alize Johnson (206-1996, college: Missouri St.) who added 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. At the losing side American power forward Ishmael Lane (203-1997, college: NSU) responded with 23 points and Jamaican center Kofi Cockburn (213-1999, college: Illinois) scored 15 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. KCC Egis maintains fifth position with 26-24 record. Loser Samsung Thunders stay dead last with 37 lost games. KCC Egis will meet bottom-ranked Seoul Thunders (#10) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Seoul Thunders' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Seoul to the arena Seoul Knights.
Top scorers:
KCC Egis: G.Ra 20+10reb+1ast, S.Lee 17+8reb+1ast, A.Johnson 13+9reb+7ast, L.Geun-Hwi 12+3reb+1ast, C.Epistola 10+1ast, U.Heo 10+9ast
Seoul Thunders: I.Lane 23+4reb, K.Cockburn 15+9reb+1ast, C.Minseok 11+6reb+3ast, D.Lee 11+2reb+1ast, S.Choi 9+1reb+1ast, Y.Sung-Won 6+1reb+1ast