October 29, 2016
The Korean League kicked off their 2016-2017 season on Saturday. The Korean League has six teams with one game played each day. There are no games on Tuesdays.
In her debut Jonquel Jones pulled down 20 rebounds!
To open the season, Samsung hosted the defending champions Woori Bank. After a big opening celebration, where the jersey of one of Samsung’s most famous Korean players was retired, the game was underway. Woori Bank, who have won the past three championships in the Korean League got off to a slow start, winning the first quarter by only 3 points. However they were able to pull away in the second stanza to take a 15 point lead into the half. Coming out of the half Samsung fought back, although they were short-handed with only Alyssa Thomas able to suit up for game one as Natasha Howard just arrived the day of the game. Samsung held Woori Bank to just eight points in the third quarter. Some big shots down the stretch for Woori and complete domination on the boards by Jonquel Jones led to Woori Bank’s victory.
Samsung vs. Woori Bank 62-70 SAM Thomas 6-12 16pts 11reb (40min) WOO Jones 9-15 22pts 20reb (26min) Currie 3-9 13pts 3reb (13min)
October 30, 2016
Pierson leads KB Stars in their first victory of the season.
KB Stars came out the gate firing as they started the first quarter on a 18-0 run! KB held KDB to 5 points in the quarter. KDB got back on track in the second quarter to cut the halftime lead to 14 points. The second half was much more competitive as KDB stuck around for as long as they could. KB had too much strength as 3 players scored in double figures with Plenette Pierson leading the way.
KB Stars vs. KDB 61-46 KB Pierson 8-14 19pts 7reb 4blks (24min) Graves 4-7 10pts 4reb (14min) KDB Christmas 6-17 13pts 13reb (21min) Hawkins 3-9 6pts 2reb (18min)
October 31, 2016
Shinhan Bank hosted KEB Hana Bank in the latest game in the league. Another retirement ceremony preceded the game before the two teams faced off. Hana Bank, who played in the finals last season, faced sanctions due to fielding an American player Chelsey Lee who forged documents to say that she was part Korean. Because of this, the records of Hana Bank from last season were erased and they were forced to pick last in both rounds of the 2016 WKBL Draft.
Shinhan Bank got off to a pretty good start in their season opener. The first half was competitive, as Shinhan were only up by three points at the half. By the end of the third Hana cut the deficit to two points but did have enough to finish the game. Kim Dambi from Shinhan Bank had an impressive game scoring 27 points to lead her team to victory.
Shinhan Bank vs. KEB Hana Bank 72-64 SHI Vaioletama 5-8 10pts 8reb (20min) Bulgak 3-11 6pts 9rebs (20min) KEB Achonwa 4-6 13pts 4rebs (17min) Thornton 7-15 19pts 8rebs(22min)