CARK TAMAYO knocked down crucial baskets in the fourth quarter as Changwon LG Sakers prevailed over Seoul SK Knights, 62-58, in the do-or-die Game 7 of the Korean Basketball League Finals on Saturday at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium.
With the score tied at 41-all early in the fourth quarter, Tamayo converted a two-pointer followed by a triple from Heo Il-Young to give the LG Sakers a 46-41 lead before the SK Knights cut the deficit to 44-46 with a triple from Choi Won-Hyeok.
The LG Sakers responded with a 9-1 scoring run courtesy of three-pointers from Yang Jun-Seok, Tamayo, and Heo to stretch their advantage to 55-45 with over four minutes left in the game.
The SK Knights made their last push to trim the deficit to 54-55, but the LG Sakers got an inside hit from Assem Marei and free throws from Jeong In-Deok and Yu Ki-Sang to secure the championship.
Tamayo finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists and two steals as the LG Sakers secured their first KBL title in 28 years after wrapping up the best-of-seven title series at 4-3.
Heo top-scored for the LG Sakers with 14 points, Yu added 12 markers, Yang contributed 11 points, while Marei hauled 14 rebounds to go with five markers in the win.
“I told my players before Game 7 that the opponent is also struggling physically. Physical strength can be an excuse, but I want mental strength to dominate their body,” said Changwon head coach Cho Sang-Hyun after the game.
Jameel Warney finished with 11 points and eight rebounds to lead the SK Knights, Kim Hyung-Bin added 11 markers, while An Young-Jun contributed nine points and 11 rebounds in the loss./PN
