The Korea University Sports Federation (KUSF) University Basketball League match between Kyung Hee University (KHU) and Dankuk University (DKU) was held on September 22 at Global Campus Sunseung Building. As tied-ranked teams, both were competing to secure a playoff spot. The match included notable reversals, adding excitement for the audience, but ultimately ending in KHU’s loss.

The Match for Playoff Ticket

The KUSF University Basketball League consists of 12 universities. Throughout the year, each team plays according to the KUSF schedule. Of these teams, only eight universities earn the opportunity to compete in the league playoffs.

On match day, both KHU and DKU were on the verge of making the playoffs. They were tied for seventh place with identical records of six wins and eight losses. This game was the second-to-last match of the season, making it crucial in determining which team would secure a playoff spot.

For the last three games, KHU has been on a losing streak. They competed with Chung-Ang University, Korea University, and Sungkyunkwan University recently but could not secure any wins. This caused their rank to decline from sixth place in the first half of the year to seventh place.

In contrast, DKU's momentum has been significant. They secured victories in their last three games against Myongji, Yonsei, and Hanyang University (HYU). Notably, Yonsei University currently holds second place in the league, highlighting the impressive quality of DKU's recent performance.

Park Chang-hee is defending the DKU player's two-point shot

A Great Start, but Disappointed Reversal

The first quarter was dominated by KHU. Although DKU's Shin Hyun-been scored the first points with a two-point shot, KHU responded with seven consecutive scores, widening their lead to 15:2. With KHU maintaining control, the first quarter ended at 22:8.

In the second quarter, DKU showed significant performance, though KHU maintained their lead. DKU outscored KHU 24 points to 18 points in this quarter. However, despite DKU's aggressive attacks, they could not overcome the gap created in the first quarter. The quarter ended with KHU leading 40:32.

The plot twist happened in the third quarter. During this quarter, KHU could not maintain their successful shooting streak like the previous quarter. With just 13 seconds remaining, DKU reversed the score to 47:46 when Hwang Ji-min made a sudden layup shot. Without any further scoring, the quarter ended with this result.

DKU reversed KHU the score in the last moment of the third quarter

KHU struggled to flip the score in the last quarter, but their hopes were dashed. During this quarter, head coach Kim Hyeon-guk approached the sideline multiple times to strongly protest the referee's decisions. Near the end of the quarter, Bae Hyeon-sik was substituted due to an ankle injury, underscoring the team's efforts to secure a win. Despite their attempts, the final score stood at DKU 62, KHU 56, resulting in KHU losing all their matches in the second semester.

Bae Hyeon-sik is suffering from pain after the physical conflict with DKU players

The Last Hope to Enter the Playoff

After the match with DKU, KHU moved further away from the playoffs. With another loss added to their record, KHU now has a total of six wins and nine losses, placing them ninth among 12 universities.

The key focus regarding KHU's playoff chances is the upcoming match results between KHU, DKU, and HYU. Currently, DKU and HYU are tied for seventh place in the league, and if both DKU and HYU lose their final matches while KHU wins, all three teams would be tied for seventh place, increasing KHU's playoff opportunities.

KHU's next match is with Dongkuk University on November 1. Dongkuk University is now securing fifth place in the league and had defeated KHU in the last match for 70:61. They also secured the victory twice against DKU this year. KHU will need a stronger performance to secure a victory.

In upcoming matches, DKU will face Myungji University, which is now in 11th place in the league. Meanwhile, HYU will compete against Chung-Ang University, which won this summer's university basketball tournament and previously defeated KHU. DKU appears likely to maintain its winning momentum, while HYU will probably struggle against this powerhouse opponent.

Despite strong momentum at the beginning of the match, KHU ultimately failed to secure victory against DKU. This loss pushed KHU further away from playoff contention as their ranking declined. The upcoming match against Dongkuk University will play a critical role in determining KHU’s playoff chances.