Desperate SK loses second straight at home to Shockers

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What a way to end the season for Seoul SK.

The Seoul SK suffered a 27-point loss to Busan KCC, 72-99, in the second round of the 2023-24 Korean Basketball Association (KBA) quarterfinals at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium on Saturday. SK, which lost its second straight game at home, needs just one loss in the upcoming series in Busan to end its season. The winner will meet regular-season champion Wonju DB in the quarterfinals.

No one expected top-seeded SK to lose like this, especially at home. They suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of KCC, conceding a series of big goals. It was the downfall of a team that was even labeled a favorite.

Ahn Young-joon, the best player in Game 1 with 15 points, dislocated his left middle finger. Ahn was taped up and played the second game in a determined effort. The two teams were tied at 55-55 with 3:41 left in the third quarter.

From that point on, KCC went on a run, with Song Kyo-chang, Calvin Espitola, Chung Chang-young, and Heo Woong hitting a series of three-pointers. 

 In the middle of the fourth quarter, the score was already 18 points, 66-84.

Luck was not on their side. Oh Jae-hyun, who guarded Heo Woong, sprained his ankle midway through the fourth quarter and had to leave the game. Jamil Warney also suffered a black eye and sprained his ankle. There was no hope of winning. Coach Jeon Hee-chul ordered a quick offense, but it didn't work. In fact, it only added to the score. 

In the last minute of the fourth quarter, Raganah grabbed a loose ball from Heo Woong and scored a tip-in dunk to seal the win.

Lagana finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds to beat Jamil Warney (18 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists). Huong poured in 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from three-point range. Choi Jun-yong added 10 points against his hometown team. KCC shot a whopping 47% from three-point range, making 15 of 32 attempts.

SK was led by Oh Jae-hyun's 14 points, but it wasn't enough. Ahn Young-joon (10 points) and Kim Sun-hyung (13 points) were also unable to turn the game around. Oh grabbed eight rebounds but only managed four points.

With Oh Jae-hyun also injured, SK's outlook is very bleak. KCC's momentum will be even stronger at home in Busan in Game 3. Will SK's season come to an end in vain?

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