On September 2, the basketball match between Kyung Hee University (KHU) and Chung-Ang University (CAU) for the 2025 Korea University Sport Federation (KUSF) University Basketball League was held in the Global Campus Sunseung Building. The game was a rematch between the two universities from the MBC University Basketball Tournament on July 14, providing KHU with an opportunity to avenge their previous defeat. However, overwhelmed by CAU’s dominant performance, KHU suffered a second defeat.

KHU Lim Sung-chae's three-point shot

The Bitter Experience of Previous Defeat

The basketball teams of KHU and CAU first faced off in the MBC Basketball Tournament. They met in the semifinal for the first game of the season, where KHU suffered a defeat with a final score of 83-68.

Beyond recent game results, other records have proven that the CAU team is a powerhouse. They have won this year’s MBC Tournament Championship for the first time in 15 years, defeating renowned teams such as Korea University (KU) and Yonsei University. Additionally, they secured third place in the KUSF University Basketball League, demonstrating their strength this year. 

For KHU, this match represented both an opportunity for revenge and a significant challenge.

KHU Park Chang-hee's layup shot

KHU Trails CAU All Game Long

At the beginning of the match, KHU brought Woo Sang-hyun, Bae Hyun-sik, Park Chang-hee, Kim Soo-oh, and Kim Sung-hoon to the starting line-up. In CAU, Kim Hyu-beom, Ko Chan-yu, Kim Doo-jin, Seo Ji-woo, and Jung Se-young started the game.

The score gap widened from the first quarter. Although Bae Hyun-sik opened the scoring with a two-point layup just 70 seconds into the game, CAU's Kim Doo-jin countered with a three-point shot. During the quarter, KHU fell further behind as they allowed CAU to score three times in a row, and CAU's Seo Ji-woo contributed nine points in the quarter. As a result, the first quarter ended with CAU ahead 22-13.

The second quarter began with CAU's Lee Kyung-min scoring consecutive baskets, bringing five points for the CAU team. Although KHU's Son Hyun-chan countered immediately with a three-point shot, KHU could not narrow the gap as they gave up counterattacks. As CAU’s Lee Kyung-min and Ko Chan-yu contributed nine points each for the team, halftime arrived with CAU on top, 47-33, widening the margin to 14.

The atmosphere in the third quarter remained similar. CAU scored first with Jung Se-young's three-point shot, his fourth three-pointer of the game. KHU's Bae Hyun-sik responded with a three-point shot; however, CAU extended their lead when Lim Sung-chae sank back-to-back two-point shots. In the quarter, KHU earned 16 points, while CAU earned 20 points. The quarter ended with CAU leading 67-49, extending the gap to 18 points.

Although KHU outscored CAU in the fourth quarter, they could not make a comeback. The quarter began with CAU’s consecutive scoring: Seo Ji-woo, Ko Chan-yu, and Lee Kyung-min scored three consecutive layups. However, as KHU's Woo Sang-hyun and Kwon Jeong-in contributed seven and six points in the quarter, respectively, KHU outscored CAU 13-12 in the final quarter. Yet the effort was not enough to change the outcome, as CAU won 79-62.

With the loss in this game, KHU added one more defeat to their league record. With a total of 6 wins and 8 losses, they are currently placed sixth among 12 universities.

KHU Bae Hyun-sik was looking for an opportunity to attack

Regrettable Results, a Motivation for Progress

Regarding the match results, the KHU basketball team’s head coach, Kim Hyun-kook, offered an apology: “The head coach is responsible for the team’s loss. It is disappointing for the students who supported us, especially with the loss at home.”

Head coach Kim explained that the line-up and strategic flaws were a factor in the loss. He noted that many players are suffering from injuries, and the line-up was not at full strength. Moreover, he added that low rebounding numbers, lack of shooting efficiency, and conceding too many perimeter shots were the major mistakes.

For the next match, head coach Kim plans to strengthen the team’s defense. “The players are losing their defensive assignments too easily, and many are too focused on individual offense, which weakens our team play,” he said. He added that improving rebounding will also be a priority.

The next league match will be held on September 11 at the Sunseung Building against KU. KU currently holds first place in the league with an undefeated record of 12-0. This will mark the first matchup of the season between KHU and KU.

Head coach Kim outlined the keys to victory for the next match: maintaining a positive mindset and strengthening defense. "Despite our incomplete lineup due to injuries, we must proceed with the confidence that we can win," he told the KHU players. "Strategically, limiting points allowed will be crucial for securing victory," he added, expressing his hopes for the upcoming KU match.

KHU Woo Sang-hyun broke through the defense and attempted a layup

KHU's rematch against CAU fell short due to strategic flaws and an incomplete roster. To secure a victory in their upcoming game against basketball powerhouse KU, the team will need to address these shortcomings.