Changwon LG Sakers Edge Busan KCC Egis 88-82 in KBL Open Match Day

Busan, South Korea – The Changwon LG Sakers opened the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Open Match Day with a gritty 88-82 road victory over the Busan KCC Egis on September 25, 2026, at Sajik Arena. In a game that featured 12 lead changes and eight ties, the Sakers pulled away in the final five minutes to claim a statement win in their first competitive outing of the new season.

Match Overview

The afternoon tip-off drew a lively crowd to Sajik Arena, and the home side fed off that energy early. Busan KCC Egis came out firing, using crisp ball movement and aggressive drives to take a 24-20 lead after the first quarter. Guard Heo Ung set the tone with 10 early points, while forward Lee Seung-hyun controlled the glass at both ends.

Changwon LG Sakers responded in the second quarter behind the inside-out duo of Assem Marei and Lee Kwan-hee. Marei dominated the paint with offensive rebounds and second-chance points, while Lee knocked down two three-pointers to spark a 12-4 run. The Sakers outscored KCC 24-18 in the period to take a 44-42 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to build a cushion. KCC’s import forward kept the Egis within striking distance, scoring eight points in the period, but LG’s bench provided timely contributions. The quarter ended with the score tied at 64-64, setting up a dramatic finish.

Key Moments

With just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Changwon LG Sakers seized control. Trailing 74-72, the Sakers went on a decisive 10-2 run capped by a step-back three-pointer from Lee Kwan-hee that gave the visitors an 82-76 lead with 3:12 left. The sequence was fueled by two steals from veteran guard Kim Si-rae, both of which led to fast-break points.

Busan KCC Egis tried to rally behind Heo Ung, who scored six straight points to cut the deficit to 84-82 with 48 seconds remaining. But on the next possession, Assem Marei grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and drew a foul, sinking both free throws to push the lead back to four. A missed three-pointer by KCC on the ensuing trip sealed the outcome, and Lee Kwan-hee added two more free throws to ice the 88-82 win.

Tactical Story

Changwon LG Sakers head coach Cho Sang-hyun emphasized pace and spacing, and his team executed that vision in the second half. The Sakers repeatedly attacked KCC’s pick-and-roll coverage, forcing switches and then feeding Marei in the post. When the Egis collapsed, LG’s shooters made them pay from the perimeter—the Sakers hit 11 three-pointers as a team, compared to just seven for KCC.

Defensively, LG switched to a more aggressive zone in the fourth quarter, which disrupted KCC’s rhythm. The Egis, who had been effective in the paint, settled for contested jump shots and went just 3-of-12 from beyond the arc in the final period. Rebounding was another key factor: Changwon won the battle on the boards 42-34, including a 13-8 edge on the offensive glass.

Busan KCC Egis head coach Jeon Chang-jin rotated his big men frequently to counter Marei, but foul trouble limited his options. KCC also struggled with turnovers at critical moments, committing five in the fourth quarter after giving the ball away only six times in the first three periods combined.

Standout Players

• Assem Marei (Changwon LG Sakers): The Egyptian big man was a force inside, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds—his sixth straight double-double dating back to last season’s playoffs. He also added three blocks and shot 9-of-12 from the free-throw line.
• Lee Kwan-hee (Changwon LG Sakers): The sharpshooting guard scored 18 points, including four three-pointers, and dished out five assists. His back-to-back threes in the fourth quarter broke the game open.
• Kim Si-rae (Changwon LG Sakers): The veteran point guard contributed 12 points, six assists, and three steals, providing steady leadership in crunch time.
• Heo Ung (Busan KCC Egis): The KCC star led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, adding four rebounds and three assists. He single-handedly kept the Egis close in the final minutes.
• Lee Seung-hyun (Busan KCC Egis): The forward posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but was limited to just 26 minutes due to foul trouble.
• KCC import forward: Added 16 points and seven rebounds, but went cold in the fourth quarter, missing his final four shot attempts.

Season Impact and What’s Next

The victory gives Changwon LG Sakers an early 1-0 record in the KBL standings and a valuable head-to-head edge over a fellow championship contender. For Busan KCC Egis, the loss is a frustrating start, but the