Bucheon Hana OneQ has clinched a playoff berth with a four-point victory over Busan BNK.
The Hana OneQ defeated BNK 71-67 in a regular-season game of the Woori Bank Woori WON 2023-2024 Women’s Professional Basketball League on Feb. 22 at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan.
With the win, Hana OneQ improved its record to 10 wins and 18 losses, and increased its lead over fifth-place Incheon Shinhan Bank 스포츠토토 to 2.5 games, securing the fourth spot in the playoffs regardless of the outcome of the remaining games.
On the other hand, BNK, which had snapped a 13-game losing streak against Shinhan Bank in its previous game, was unable to continue its winning streak and remained in last place with 5 wins and 23 losses.
In the first quarter, Hana OneQ led the offense with nine points from Yang In-young, while Kim Sion hit two three-pointers against his hometown team BNK.
In the second quarter, the team took control with a 12-9 rebounding advantage, and the eldest Kim Sion and Shin Ji-hyun took turns hitting from beyond the arc to close out the half with a 44-32 lead.
In the third quarter, Hana OneQ diligently racked up points while BNK struggled to score, hitting just six of 19 field goal attempts from the floor.
Leading 60-46, Hana OneQ dedicated nine consecutive points to BNK’s national team lineup of Ahn Hye-ji, Jin An, and Lee So-hee just after the start of the final quarter.
Hana OneQ seemed to put out the sudden fire with a three-pointer from Shin Ji-hyun, but gave up a three-pointer to BNK rookie Kim Jong-yeon with 5:32 left to cut the deficit to three.
They then cut the deficit to two points on Ahn Hye-ji’s three-pointer with 2:16 to go, and faltered on a steal by Ahn with 1:01 to go.
Hana OneQ, which was on the verge of a comeback, made it a four-point game with two free throws from Kim Sion with 2.4 seconds left in regulation.
Hana OneQ’s Shin Ji-hyun was brilliant with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, while Kim Sion had 17 points and eight assists against his hometown team. Yang In-young (16 points, 7 rebounds) and Kim Jong-un (14 points, 7 rebounds) also had solid performances.
BNK was led by Ahn Hye-ji with 21 points and eight assists and rookie Kim Jong-un with 13 points.