Samsung Thunders end season on top

Fulfilling a five-year dream, the Samsung Thunders assured that they would finish atop the standings of the Korean pro basketball league with a 91-86 victory over the SBS Stars Thursday. Irrespective of the results of the remaining three games, Samsung clinched its first regular season title with a record of 32 wins and 10 losses. The team won the title for the first time since the league was formed in 1997.

The last leg of Samsung`s journey to the title was not smooth. As soon as the game began, Samsung and SBS launched into a fierce battle, with the Thunders finishing the first quarter with a razor-thin 25-23 edge over the Stars. Mun Kyung-Eun continued his scoring streak with 14 points in the second quarter after he sank two three-pointers in the first. Samsung ended up overwhelming SBS in defensive rebounds.

Kim Sang-Ho hyangsan@donga.com