Byun Yeon-ha Launches Three-point Barrage

Byun Yeon-ha (Samsung Life) displayed her three-point ability once again; a skill she showed in the Asia Women’s Basketball Championship.

Samsung Life beat Woori Bank by a score of 59-49 thanks to Byun’s 21 points, including three three-pointers. Her total was the highest individual scoring total at the Woori Finance Group Cup Women’s Pro Basketball 2004 Winter League opener held at Hoban Gymnasium in Chuncheon on January 27.

Byun’s real value was apparent in the 4th quarter. Samsung Life, down 41-47, cut Woori Bank’s lead to one point on a Byun’s layup off of a fast break opportunity and a three-point shot. Samsung Life then took the lead 48-47 on a Park Jeong-eun (6 points) layup with 5 minutes and 26 seconds remaining.

Energized, Samsung Life increased its lead with post shots from Kim Kye-ryung (6 points) and Lee Mi-seon (13 points), who had been inactive.

After the game, Byun was unhappy at making only three three-point shots out of nine tries. “I give myself only a 70,” Byun said.

Woori Bank was dominant up until the 3rd quarter. Woori Bank finished the 3rd quarter leading 45-41 thanks to Woori Bank’s height advantage from tall players such as Kent (1m83), Lee Jong-ae (1m87) and Hong Hyun-hee (1m91) and strong one-on-one defense which shut down Samsung Life’s offence.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com