Cheongju KB Stars beat Incheon Shinhan Bank 84-63 in Woori Bank Woori WON 2023-24 Women’s Professional Basketball at Dowon Gymnasium in Incheon on the 15th, where Park Ji-soo, Heo Ye-eun, and Kim Sonia fought hard.
As a result, KB Stars became the sole leader with nine consecutive wins and 12 wins and one loss, while Shinhan Bank lost its 12th game (one win) with four consecutive losses. It remained at the bottom of the list.
Park Ji-soo led the offense and defense with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Heo Ye-eun supported with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Kang Yi-seul and Lee Yun-mi also contributed with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 points and 3 rebounds, respectively.
In the first half, KB Stars fell behind 46-40 after struggling with Shinhan’s efficient attack. They grabbed a six-point lead, but they somehow didn’t like the lead.
The second half was different. KB Stars, whose attack in the third quarter was not perfect, continued to lead by 7 to 9 points. Time went by without running away or narrowing it down. Just before the end, Lee Yun-mi scored 3 points. I was able to take an 11-point lead.
The fourth quarter was not difficult. After the game resumed, KB Stars, which had a 15-point lead with Shim Sung-young’s fastball and Kang Yi-seul’s putback, completed its victory without giving up a single crisis. It has won nine consecutive games.
On this day, three cast-year players were absent from KB Stars. Kim Min-jung, Kim Ye-jin and Yeom Yoon-ah were unable to play.
Before the game, head coach Kim Wan-soo said, “Three players left. I put (Shin) Ye-young in the entry. I hope the young players do well. I hope Ji-soo and Lee Seul-yi lead the game well.”
Shin was included in the starting lineup and played. At the start of the first quarter, he cleared two offensive rebounds. He boldly threw three points in a row. He failed. He was able to score his own attempt. After that, he scored through a cut-in base line. He played for all 10 minutes, leaving his presence through offense and defense.
Yang took over the baton. Playing five minutes later, Yang had a three-point shot, rebound and assist each. He also added another steal. He left an impressive amount and number of players.
In the second quarter, the two players also played, and Yang Ji-soo left a mark with an offensive rebound. They were also two players who showed up in the third quarter, and Shin Young made free throws through a bold breakthrough, and both succeeded.
In the fourth quarter, the two players did not have to play. Garbage time was applied early on, and rookie players including Ko Hyun-ji and Sung Hye-kyung played the game.
Both players played nearly 20 minutes and made an impressive performance to fill the gap in the absence of the main backup.
Shin Ye-young, a graduate of Sunil Girls’ High School, is in her third year as the fourth overall pick in the 2022 WKBL Rookie Draft. She is a promising player.
Yang Ji-soo wore KB Stars uniform as the ninth overall pick in the 2021 rookie draft. He is gradually entering an annual leave where he has to adjust to the pro league. The two players instilled trust in the bench on the day.
After the match, Kim said, “Jisoo and Lee Seul-i balanced well. Also, the backup players did their part, too. Lee Seul-i gave them time to rest on the bench.”
It was KB Stars who spent a day filling the gap of the three main backup players with the presence of Lee Yoon-mi (8 points and 3 rebounds), which was added to the two new players’ performances.