'Park Ji-soo Absent' But Strong KB, Led by Kang Yi-seul's 23 Points, Crushes Samsung Life! Secures 73.5% Championship Probability [Championship Final Game 1]

*This content was translated by AI.

Even without 'National Team Center' Park Ji-soo (28), Cheongju KB Stars remained strong. Displaying focus amidst adversity, KB Stars succeeded in seizing the initiative in the championship finals, securing a favorable position on the path to the title.

On the 22nd, KB Stars defeated Yongin Samsung Life 69-56 in the first game of the 'BNK Financial 2025-2026 Women's Professional Basketball' championship finals (best-of-five series) held at Cheongju Gymnasium.

With this victory, KB Stars secured the 73rd.5% championship probability (25 wins out of 34 total instances) historically held by teams that win the first game of the championship finals. Meanwhile, Samsung Life, which aimed for a turnaround on the road, was outmatched in the offensive battle and will have to wait for the second game.

Tension filled Cheongju Gymnasium before the game. This was because news spread that regular season MVP Park Ji-soo had been excluded from the lineup due to an ankle injury sustained during training.

However, KB Stars, configured with a lineup centered on shorter players, countered Samsung Life's height with fast-tempo offense. Although they struggled early in the first quarter, conceding 11 points to Samsung Life's Kang Yu-rim, Kang Yi-seul and Heo Ye-eun stabilized the team, maintaining a tight 18-18 balance.

The gap began to widen from the second quarter. Heo Ye-eun scored 8 points in the second quarter alone, including two 3-pointers, shaking Samsung Life's defense. The first half ended with KB Stars leading 35-26.

The third quarter was 'Kang Yi-seul Time.' From the early moments of the third quarter, Kang Yi-seul showcased high shooting accuracy, sinking three 3-pointers. Her performance, carrying 12 points alone, quickly expanded the score into double digits. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 55-43. KB Stars' momentum did not waver in the fourth quarter either. Immediately after the start, consecutive 3-pointers by Heo Ye-eun and Kang Yi-seul sealed the outcome.

KB Stars' Kang Yi-seul recorded the highest points for both teams with 23 points and 6 rebounds, becoming the top contributor to the victory, while Heo Ye-eun added 18 points and 6 assists. Meanwhile, Samsung Life's Kang Yu-rim (18 points) and Lee Hae-ran (9 points, 8 rebounds) fought hard but were defeated.

Meanwhile, the second game of the championship finals between KB Stars, who secured a pleasant first win, and Samsung Life, aiming for a counterattack, will be held at the same venue on the 24th.

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*This content was translated by AI.