Woori Bank is hitting its stride early in the season.
Asan Woori Bank defeated Yongin Samsung Life 73-55 in the regular season of the Woori Bank Woori WON 2023-2024 Women’s Professional Basketball League at Yongin Indoor Gymnasium on Oct. 18.
Kim Dan-bi led the way with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Park Ji-hyun also did her part with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists. In her comeback game, Park Hye-jin had four points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocked shots.
First quarter, Woori Bank 24-18 Samsung Life: Woori Bank made six of its 12 three-point attempts
Woori Bank was hot from the field from the start. Three of their six three-pointers hit the rim. Choi Yi-sam hit two three-pointers and Kim Dan-bi hit one. Park Ji-hyeon added a basket to the mix, giving the team an 11-3 lead.
Samsung Life then brought in Bae Hye-yoon to change the atmosphere. After the substitution, the team struggled at first. However, Bae Hye-yoon scored a free throw to break the flow. It was Samsung Life’s first goal in about three minutes. Bae then helped Jo Soo-ah make a three-pointer. She scored back-to-back baskets. The team continued to try to catch up with Bae Hye-yoon. Six seconds before the end of the quarter, Bae Hye-yoon scored from under the basket, but it didn’t bring Samsung Sinsung back into the game. They couldn’t control the opponent’s outside scoring.
Q2, Woori Bank 46-29 Samsung Life 46-29: Woori Bank utilizes its height to its advantage
Once Woori got into a rhythm, they continued to push. In the second quarter, Woori focused on cut-in and under-the-basket scoring instead of outside scoring. Park Ji-hyun became the spearhead. She was responsible for eight of the team’s 10 points, especially a basket with 3:58 left in the quarter to extend the lead to double digits. Adding a three-pointer from Goara, Woori made it 37-24.
In response, Samsung Life tried to fight back with Shin Isul and Bae Hye-yoon, with Shin actively looking to score from the outside. They scored consecutive points. However, Woori Bank’s height was a burden for Samsung Life. After losing the battle under the basket, Samsung Life gave up offensive rebounds and lost the offense. Park Ji-hyun made a three-pointer with 15 seconds left in the quarter. Cho Soo-ah scored a free throw three seconds before the end of the quarter, but the gap was still large.
Q3, Woori Bank 58-45 Samsung Life: Narrowing the gap, but Woori Bank still in control
Samsung Life started the third quarter on a high note with a free throw from Kang Yoo-rim. On the next possession, Bae Hye-yoon added a basket. In addition, Kang Yoo-rim and Cho Soo-ah scored from the outside. It was an 11-4 run. The score was reduced. After that, Samsung Life continued to score with determination. With 2 minutes and 10 seconds left in the quarter, Kang Yoo-rim scored. The score was 43-52, and the lead was now in single digits.
However, Woori Bank did not back down easily. Choi Yi-sam hit a three-pointer to break the tie as the opponent furiously pursued. The team then fouled Cho Soo-ah in a team foul situation and gave up free throws. However, on the final possession of the quarter, Lee Myung-kwan received a pass from Kim Dan-bi and made a three-pointer.
Fourth quarter, Woori Bank 73-55 Samsung Life: Woori Bank wins its fourth straight game
Woori started the fourth quarter on a high note with a breakaway basket by Kim Dan-bi. Then, Park Ji-hyun scored a breakthrough basket. However, the offense failed due to a series of mistakes. They allowed Lee Hae-ran to hit a three-pointer and Kang Yoo-rim to score from mid-range. However, Go Ara answered with a three-pointer. Then, Kim Dan-bi scored on a breakaway. The gap widened again.
Woori Bank kept the momentum going. With the victory in hand, Woori Bank evened out their lineup and ran out the clock to win the game. 캡틴토토
