Changwon LG completely defeats defending champion KCC in the opening game of the professional basketball season... Sono also wins for the first time

Sono wins for the first time by defeating Korea Gas Corporation

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Tae-yong = Changwon LG showed off its power as a contender for the championship by defeating defending champion Busan KCC in the opening game of the 2026-2027 KCC professional basketball season.

LG, ranked first in the regular season last season, defeated KCC by a large score of 103-68, led by new foreign players Archie Goodwin and Yang Hong-seok, in the official opening game held at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 3rd.

Goodwin scored 25 points, including three 3-pointers, and Yang Hong-seok scored 22 points to lead the team to a complete victory.

Assem Marey scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, keeping the goal strong.

LG, which was evaluated as lacking in offense compared to its solid defense, gained wings in attack with Goodwin's addition.

Goodwin scored 16 points in the second quarter alone, contributing to LG taking the lead in the first half by 53-30.

Yang Hong-seok, who had performed poorly after returning to the team midway through last season after completing military service, revived the team atmosphere with a cool mid-range shot.

KCC was left with a huge gap between Choi Jun-yong and Song Kyo-chang, who left the team to advance overseas.

New foreign player Louis King scored 18 points, the most on the team, and Sean Long added 13 points, but was unable to stop LG's wave of attacks.

Last season's runner-up team, Goyang Sono, defeated Daegu Korea Gas Corporation 82-73 in the home game held at Goyang Sono Arena thanks to the performances of Johnny O'Bryant (26 points) and Kevin Kempao (16 points).

Trailing 75-69 with 3 minutes and 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Sono ran away with O'Bryant's two-point shot and increased the score with scores from Kembao and Scotty James.

Sono's guard Lee Jeong-hyeon, who won a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, helped the team win by scoring 9 points and delivering 5 rebounds.