National team guard Lee Jung-hyun delivered the first winning buzzer-beater of his basketball career, lifting the Goyang Sono Skygunners to a dramatic 97-96 victory over the Busan KCC Egis in the 2026-2027 KCC Professional Basketball 1st round home game at Goyang Sono Arena, xportsnews reported.
Goyang Sono Secures Third Victory
The home win on Oct. 24 marked the third straight victory for Goyang Sono, pushing their record to 4–4 and bringing them back to an even .500 winning percentage. The club experienced a turbulent start to the campaign after capturing an opening-day win against the Korea Gas Corporation on Oct. 3, followed by a four-game road losing skid that briefly dropped them to the bottom of the standings. However, a home win against Hyundai Mobis on Oct. 16 sparked a turnaround, which continued through an exhausting 99-94 overtime victory against the TSG Ghosthawks in the East Asia Super League (EASL) on Oct. 21.
Lee Jung-Hyun Hits Late Three to Win
Trailing 96-92 with just 18 seconds remaining in regulation, Goyang Sono mounted a final charge. Guard Lee Jae-do drew a three-shot foul, prompting Busan KCC to request a foul challenge. During the video review delay, the Sono bench orchestrated a tactical maneuver, instructing Lee Jae-do to intentionally miss the final free throw after sinking the first two. Johnny O’Bryant secured the rebound and kicked the ball out to Kevin Kempao, who immediately swung a pass to Lee Jung-hyun standing open at the 45-degree arc. With under a second remaining, Lee released a 3-point attempt that dropped through the net as the game clock expired, sealing the 97-96 comeback.
Lee finished the night with 19 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists in 34 minutes and 25 seconds of floor time. “It was a thrilling victory. I finished it with a winning shot in front of our home fans,” Lee told xportsnews, noting that it was the first winning buzzer-beater of his basketball career. He added, “Until the very last moment, my shots weren’t falling and I made many defensive mistakes, but we carried it to the clutch and I am thankful to my teammates and our head coach.”
Sono Players Overcome Grueling Travel Schedule
The victory came under immense physical strain for the Sono roster, who returned straight to South Korea following their EASL fixture abroad and had virtually no time for proper training ahead of the matchup. “My body felt so heavy I couldn’t even run properly,” Lee said regarding the grueling travel schedule. Despite the fatigue, he emphasized that grinding through demanding matches contributes directly to the team’s ongoing cohesion and development.
Rotating Defenders Struggle to Contain Heo Hoon
Throughout the contest, Goyang Sono deployed a rotating cast of perimeter defenders—including Kim Jin-yu, Lee Jae-do, and Lee Jung-hyun—to check Heo Hoon, who still managed a prolific scoring performance. Reflecting on the defensive challenge, Lee admitted that Heo’s output demands a reassessment of how opponents handle elite playmakers. Goyang Sono will return to training to prepare for their upcoming fixtures as the first round of the regular season continues.
Related reading
