Professional basketball KT advances to the championship game for the first time in 17 years, defeating LG with the help of ‘Paris Bass’ 40-point one-man show’

Professional basketball Suwon KT’s Paris Bass is shooting in the 5th game of the 2023-2024 KBL semifinal playoff (PO) final match against Changwon LG held at Changwon Gymnasium on the 24th. Provided by KBL

Suwon KT, a professional basketball team, advanced to the championship game with Paris Bass’ one-man show. It has been 17 years since the 2006-2007 season.

KT won 75-65 in the 5th game of the 2023-2024 KBL semifinal playoff (PO) final match against Changwon LG held at Changwon Gymnasium on the 24th. With the victory that day, they will face Busan KCC, who reached the finals first with 3 wins and 2 losses, for the championship.

Bass had a triple-double performance on this day with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 steals. Jung Sung-woo also scored 12 points, and rookie Moon Jeong-hyun, who scored 8 points, also contributed to the team’s victory by scoring at every crucial moment.

LG struggled with Yoo Yu-sang and Lee Jae-do scoring 18 and 17 points, respectively, but Assem Marey, whom they trusted, only scored 4 points and lost.

LG gained momentum in the early stages of the game. Lee Jae-do scored 9 points and Yu Yu-sang 8 points, widening the gap to 12 points at 25-13. KT seemed to catch up in the second quarter as Bath’s scoring gradually revived, but was unable to narrow the gap due to a series of turnovers. LG finished the first half with a 40-30 lead.

In the third quarter, KT turned the tide as Bath’s scoring began to ignite. KT, whose gap had been reduced to single digits in the middle of the quarter, tied the score at 49-49 with 3 minutes and 40 seconds left in the quarter thanks to Bath’s three consecutive points. Bath succeeded in scoring under the goal with 1 minute and 19 seconds left in the quarter, making it 53-52, creating the team’s first comeback of the day. Bath scored 16 points in the third quarter alone. This is more than LG’s entire team score in the third quarter (14 points).

Entering the 4th quarter with a 57-54 lead in the 3rd quarter, KT gradually converted the opponent’s turnovers into points, taking the lead to 68-60 in the middle of the quarter. Although Heo Hoon was forced to retire due to 5 fouls, Bath’s scoring never slowed down and they did not give up the lead. With 2 minutes left in the game, Moon Jeong-hyun’s 3-pointer gave them a 75-65 lead. Afterwards, Marey missed both of his two free throws, tipping the balance of the game.