Seoul: South Korea decisively defeated Indonesia 102-48 in men's basketball at the 20th Asian Games held in Japan, securing a spot in the quarterfinals following Japan's victory over Saudi Arabia. Forward Lee Hyun-jung led the charge with a game-high 24 points, including a dominant performance in the third quarter at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea commenced their Group A journey with an 82-66 victory against Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The team is set to face Japan on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the same venue to vie for the top seed in Group A. Japan has also secured a quarterfinal berth following their wins over Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
The competition format consists of 12 nations divided into three groups, with the top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Both South Korea and Japan have secured their spots in the next round with two consecutive wins, topping Group A.
The men's basketball event began ahead of the Asian Games opening ceremony scheduled for September 19, with the gold medal game planned for September 20. Despite Indonesia's early lead, South Korea quickly responded with a 10-0 run, maintaining their dominance throughout the game.
South Korea's third quarter was particularly impressive, with Lee Hyun-jung scoring 10 consecutive points. The team shot 12-of-16 from the field during this period, including four three-pointers, extending their lead to 70-41. The fourth quarter saw continued pressure from South Korea, with backup players contributing significantly to the scoreboard.
Lee Hyun-jung also led the team with 10 rebounds, while Yu Ki-sang added 21 points, all from three-point range. South Korea head coach Nikolajs Mazurs commended his team for maintaining high intensity throughout the game, emphasizing the importance of playing consistently until the final whistle.
Mazurs highlighted the team's disciplined defense and improved ball movement, as evidenced by their 31 assists. He expressed satisfaction with the players' performance and their ability to enjoy the game while executing their strategy effectively.