The South Korean men’s basketball team, led by head coach Ahn Joon-ho, won the 2024 Soft Bank Cup against Japan at Ariake Arena in Koto-gu, Tokyo on the 5th by 85-841 points.
Captain Byun Jun-hyung (12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist), Lee Jung-hyun (27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), and Ha Yoon-ki (15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) scored double-digit points. In particular, Ha directly led the team to victory by making a free throw in the final.
Korea, which was dragged to 0-8 after being hit by two 3-pointers by Makoto Hiejima in the early part of the game, marked the beginning of its pursuit with Byun Jun-hyung’s outpost. Korea finished the quarter with Ha Yoon-ki’s last jumper. The score was 13-15 Japan’s two-point lead.
Korea completely seized the momentum in the second quarter. Lee Jung-hyun and Moon Jung-hyun scored three-point shots to chase after each other, and displayed concentration in defense as well, blocking Japan’s attack. Korea, which also scored Yoo Ki-sang, Ha Yoon-ki and Oh Jae-hyun, scored 33 points in the second quarter alone. Korea finished the first half 46-35. 바카라사이트
The trend continued in the third quarter. Byun and Lee Joon-hyung scored 17 points including four 3-pointers in the third quarter alone. Ha Yoon-ki dunked in to lighten the mood. Korea ended the third quarter with a 72-52 20-point lead.
In the fourth quarter, Japan began to chase. They struggled, giving up consecutive runs to Josh Hawkinson, Yudai Baba, and Yuki Kawamura. Korea piled up the score with Lee Jung-hyun and Yoo Ki-sang’s outpaws, but allowed Kawamura and Akira Jacobs to score three points. Japan trailed 80-79.
Korea lost the lead afterwards. However, Lee Jung-hyun’s score tied the game. Ha Yoon-ki scored a free throw at the end of the game, winning the game by 85-841.