Wonju DB Proteus defeated the top-ranked Samsung Thunders 84-76 on Sunday, erasing a double-digit deficit with a dominant fourth-quarter performance. The victory, reported by the Gangwon Ilbo, came in a home game at the Wonju DB Promi Arena and avenged a narrow 95-92 loss to Samsung just weeks ago.
Game Flips in Final Frame
The game was a tale of two halves. After leading 26-21 after the first quarter, DB struggled against Samsung’s offense, spearheaded by Chris McCuller. The Thunders outscored DB 26-15 in the second quarter and 21-12 in the third, building a commanding 67-59 lead heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to DB. The team exploded for 25 points while holding Samsung to just 9 points. The turning point came with 4 minutes and 13 seconds remaining. Trailing 71-70, DB’s Esean Albanese hit a crucial three-pointer to give his team the lead for good. He continued his scoring surge and, with 1 minute and 40 seconds left, assisted on a three-pointer by Ration Hemonds to seal the victory.
Albanese Leads Comeback
Albanese was the undisputed star of the comeback. He finished the game with 26 points, 6 assists, and 5 steals. Remarkably, 13 of those points came in the decisive fourth quarter. His performance was a key factor in DB overcoming the absence of their primary foreign player, Henry Ellenson, who is sidelined with an injury.
Hemonds also delivered a strong performance, recording a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds to support Albanese.
Impact on Standings
The victory elevates DB’s record to 7 wins and 5 losses for the season. More importantly, it tightens the race at the top of the KCC Pro Basketball League standings.
What’s Next for DB
The team is set to face the Seoul SK Knights on Tuesday at 2:00 PM local time (14:00 KST) at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul.
FAQ
- Who was the MVP for DB in the game against Samsung?
- Esean Albanese was the star, scoring 26 points with 6 assists and 5 steals, including 13 points in the fourth quarter to fuel the comeback.
- What is DB’s current record in the KCC Pro Basketball League?
- With the win over Samsung, DB improved to 7 wins and 5 losses for the 2026-2027 regular season.
- When is DB’s next game?
- DB will play the Seoul SK Knights on Tuesday, January 8th, at 2:00 PM local time (14:00 KST) at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul.
- How did DB overcome the absence of Henry Ellenson?
- The team relied on a strong all-around effort, led by Albanese’s scoring and Hemonds’ double-double, to overcome the injury to their key foreign player.
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