KOR – Fourth quarter rally propels S-Birds past Bichumi

SEOUL (WKBL) - Defending champions Shinhan Bank S-Birds posted a 29-20 fourth quarter rally to turn the tables on Samsung Life Bichumi and beat them 72-69 in a thrilling WKBL game on Monday.

Bichumi led 19-8 at the end of the first quarter, and stayed in the ascendency but S-Birds kept chipping away at the deficit.

Down 49-43 after the third quarter, S-Birds took charge for good in the final frame to register their 24th win in 27 games.

Giant center Ha Eun-joo led S-Birds with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Kang Young-Sook added a dozen points and also grabbed seven boards while Chun Ju-weon (pictured) chipped in with 11 points. Nine of the 10 players who took to the court scored.

Individually, Bichumi players shone more.

Park Jung-eun scored 25 points and Lee Jong-ae finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Park Tae-eun came close to a triple double (13 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds), but there was hardly any support from the rest of the players – contributing a mere 13 points – sending Bichumi to a costly defeat.

WKBL Standings
1. Shinhan Bank S-Birds 24-3
2. Samsung Life Insurance Bichumi 20-7
3. Shinsegae Cool Cats 13-13
4. KDB Life Winnus Guri 12-14
5. KB Kookmin Savers 7-19
6. Woori Bank Hansae 3-23

FIBA Asia