'Ellison + Hammonds Combine for 42 Points' DB Defeats KCC 85-79... Head Coach Lee Gyu-seop Wins in First Match Against Former Team [Busan On-Site Review]

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Head Coach Lee Gyu-seop secured a satisfying victory against his former team, instantly boosting the team's morale. Wonju DB shook off Busan KCC's fierce pursuit to claim a valuable away win.

In the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball Regular Season game held at Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium at 2 p.m. on the 10th, DB defeated KCC 85-79. After winning the opening game and then losing to Changwon LG in the previous match, DB recorded a 2-1 record with this win, while KCC, which had been on a two-game winning streak, suffered a setback to fall to 2-2.

The firepower of the foreign one-two punch stood out. Henry Ellison performed brilliantly with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Laion Hammonds contributed with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Up front, Ethan Albano anchored the team with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Lee Yong-woo provided solid perimeter support by knocking down four three-pointers for 12 points.

For KCC, Heo Hoon recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists, Louis King scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, and Jang Jae-seok put up 15 points in a valiant effort, but the team failed to overcome the critical moments at the end of the game.

KCC took the early lead in the first quarter. In the opening minutes, consecutive basket scores by Jang Jae-seok, a three-pointer by Heo Hoon, and supporting shots from Sean Long saw KCC build a 12-5 lead. However, DB launched a counterattack starting with Kim Bo-bae's emphatic dunk and Ellison's defensive rebound. After closing the gap on Lee Yu-jin's score and Hammonds' free throws, DB quickly narrowed the deficit as Kim Bo-bae added a fast-break basket and an and-one free throw. Late in the quarter, capitalizing on Heo Woong's turnover, Hammonds scored off a fast-break assist from Choi Sung-won, and Lee Yong-woo hit a three-pointer, allowing DB to take a 18-15 lead heading into the end of the first quarter.

Entering the second quarter, DB's foreign duo unleashed powerful firepower. Early in the quarter, consecutive scores by Ellison and an outside shot from Lee Yong-woo gave DB a 23-17 lead. KCC responded with efforts from Heo Hoon and consecutive three-pointers from Kim Dong-hyun and Heo Woong, but DB's offense did not cool down. Following Lee Yu-jin's three-pointer, Ellison dominated the paint, and Hammonds' three-pointer off a pass from Choi Sung-won swished through the net to widen the gap. Late in the quarter, Lee Yong-woo's fast-break three-pointer and Ellison's basket score landed back-to-back, allowing DB to end the first half with a 10-point lead at 46-36.

A major setback also occurred for DB. Near the end of the second quarter, Kim Bo-bae collided hard with Ellison and collapsed on the court. Expressing severe pain, Kim Bo-bae was carried off on a stretcher and immediately transported to a hospital by ambulance during halftime.

The third quarter unfolded as a fierce back-and-forth battle. After KCC opened the scoring with points from King and Jang Jae-seok, DB responded with consecutive scores from Albano and Hammonds. KCC closed in to within 48-55, led by consecutive three-pointers from King and Yoon Gi-chan.

DB put out the fire with a score from Albano and a three-pointer from Ellison, but KCC mounted another fierce pursuit to 60-63, combining Heo Hoon's active passing with King's fast break.

DB's focus shone in the crisis. Late in the quarter, consecutive scores by Ellison and Hammonds, followed by Lee Yong-woo's three-pointer, allowed DB to enter the fourth quarter leading 70-62 by 8 points.

A critical variable emerged for KCC in the fourth quarter. With 6 minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the game, key foreign player King, who had recorded 18 points, was ejected for five fouls. KCC did not give up, as Jang Jae-seok secured an offensive rebound and successfully finished a layup to stubbornly close the gap to 70-75.

However, DB calmly managed the game and blocked KCC's final push. Ultimately, they wrapped up the game with an 85-79 victory, securing a valuable win.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original