Kiana Smith - Bae Hye-yoon 33 points collaboration. Samsung Life Insurance has rebounded for three consecutive wins after losing four games in a row

Nov 18, 2024

Kiana Smith - Bae Hye-yoon 33 points collaboration. Samsung Life Insurance has rebounded for three consecutive wins after losing four games in a row
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Yongin Samsung Life Insurance won three consecutive games and regained its appearance as a "dark horse".

Samsung Life Insurance won 63-46 against the home team KB Stars in the second round of the 'Hana Bank 2024-2025 Women's Professional Basketball' held at Cheongju Gymnasium on the 18th after not missing the lead from the first quarter. As a result, Samsung Life Insurance, which was in shock of its opening four consecutive losses, recently recovered its league competitiveness with three consecutive wins.

On the other hand, KB Stars, who were also trying to win three consecutive games, failed to catch up as their shot success rate fell significantly. In particular, Samsung Life continued to be weak with all four recent losses. They lost two games at the end of last season and in the first and second rounds of this season.



The main player of Samsung Life Insurance's victory was the ace duo of Kiana Smith and Bae Hye-yoon. In the first quarter 2-2, Bae Hye-yoon took over Lee Ju-yeon's still and made a two-point shot in the paint zone, and Lee Hae-ran and Lee Ju-yeon scored in succession in the paint zone with their defensive rebound concentration. Smith then scored six straight points (including two free throws) at 4-8 to make it 14-8. Kang Yoo-rim's three points were scored, and Samsung Life took a 17-8 lead in the first quarter.

This gap did not close throughout the game. In the second quarter, KB Stars chased veteran Kang Yi-seul with 11 points. However, Kang Yi-seul could not turn the tide on his own. Except for Kang Yi-seul, other players were blocked by Samsung Life's tight defense and failed to create such offensive chances. While leading 10-7 in rebounding, the score in the second quarter was 15-16. On the other hand, Samsung Life Insurance maintained the difference by Kang Yoo-rim scoring two 3-pointers while Smith was taking a break. Bae Hye-yoon also scored six points under the basket, eventually finishing the first half with a 33-23 and 10-point lead.



Kiana Smith - Bae Hye-yoon 33 points collaboration. Samsung Life Insurance has rebounded for three consecutive wins after losing four games in a row
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The situation did not change in the second half. Smith, who had enough rest in the second quarter, led a stable score with Bae Hye-yoon. Smith scored six points, including one 3-pointer, and Bae Hye-yoon seven points. There was no player in KB Stars to score other than Kang Yi-seul. Main forward Moe Nakata threw 10 field pitches, including two 3-pointers, until the third quarter, all of which failed. Other players are the same. Until the third quarter, the field goal success rate was only 34%. KB Stars eventually declared surrender by taking out all the main players with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter.





wman@sportschosun.com