Changwon LG beats defending champion Busan KCC 103-68 in KBL game

Changwon LG opened the 2026–2027 Korean Basketball League season with a dominant 103–68 victory over defending champions Busan KCC at Busan Sajik Gymnasium on Dec. 3, in front of an announced crowd of 7,330 spectators.

Archie Goodwin and Yang Hon-seok Lead LG Past Defending Champions

Changwon LG controlled the contest from the opening tip, placing five players in double figures and mounting a 71–36 advantage with 3 minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter. New acquisition Archie Goodwin paced all scorers with 25 points. Standing 193 centimeters tall, the guard utilized his size and speed advantage against Busan KCC’s domestic backcourt. Yang Hon-seok, whose offseason preparation drew high praise from head coach Cho Sang-hyun prior to tip-off, added 22 points for the visitors.

The matchup served as the debut test of a new KBL regulation permitting teams to deploy two foreign players simultaneously during the second and third quarters. LG veteran forward Asem-Maret nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. Asian quota signing Carl Tamayo chipped in 12 points in 20 minutes off the bench. LG connected on 11 of 27 attempts from beyond the arc, while Busan KCC managed just 3 conversions on 18 long-range tries. Yang Jun-seok sank three triples on five attempts, filling the void left by starting shooter Yu Gi-san, who remains sidelined during rehabilitation for an ankle injury sustained at the recent Asian Games. Last regular-season campaign ended in disappointment for Changwon LG, which finished first in the standings before falling to the Goyang Sono in the playoff semifinals.

Busan KCC Struggles Following Offseason Roster Turnover

Defending champion Busan KCC faced an uphill battle following significant offseason departures. Forward Song Gyo-chang moved to the Osaka Evessa in Japan’s B.League, while Choi Jun-yong pursued opportunities in the United States. Head coach Lee Sang-min’s squad also played through cold shooting performances from key guards. Heo Ung scored 9 points but missed all seven of his three-point attempts, and reigning playoff MVP Heo Hoon was held to 4 points after missing all four of his shots from deep. New foreign signing Louis King led the hosts with 18 points, including three three-pointers, while Shawn Long contributed 13 points and 15 rebounds under the basket. Reflecting on the lopsided result, Lee Sang-min stated that the team intends to use the opening-night defeat as medicine for the remainder of the campaign.

Changwon LG returns to action in the opening week of the regular-season schedule, while Busan KCC seeks its first victory in the next round of fixtures.