The roaring crowd of 5,274 at Busan Sajik Gymnasium on February 18, 2026, witnessed a basketball masterclass as Changwon LG, the league leaders, cruised past Busan KCC with a resounding 94-74 victory in the 2025-26 LG Electronics professional basketball season. The win not only marked LG's 30th triumph of the season but also extended their remarkable winning streak against KCC to a staggering 12 consecutive games. For KCC, who had swept their weekend fixtures and were eager to reverse their fortunes against LG after four straight losses earlier in the season, this matchup was supposed to be a turning point. Instead, it became a showcase of LG's dominance and depth.
From the opening tip, LG played with purpose and poise, never once surrendering the lead throughout the contest. At one point, the gap ballooned to 33 points, underscoring the visitors' control. The first quarter set the tone, with Yoo Gi-sang erupting for 11 points and knocking down long-range shots that electrified his teammates and the traveling fans. His hot hand continued into the third quarter, where he nailed a deep three-pointer and capitalized on a KCC turnover to drain another, further demoralizing the home side.
Yoo Gi-sang finished the night with 19 points, including five three-pointers, and contributed two steals—an effort that underscored his growing confidence after a quiet outing in the previous game against Goyang Sono. As he sank a crucial three and exchanged a high-five with coach Jo Sang-hyun, the synergy between player and coach was palpable. According to reports, "Changwon LG player Yoo Gi-sang successfully made a three-point shot and high-fived coach Jo Sang-hyun."
But the night truly belonged to Assem Marei, affectionately dubbed 'the Pharaoh.' Marei was everywhere—scoring 24 points, hauling in 13 rebounds, and stuffing the stat sheet with 8 assists, 3 steals, and a block. His relentless energy and court vision overwhelmed KCC's big man Sean Long, who despite his own 12 points and 16 rebounds, simply couldn't match Marei's impact. As one report stated, "Assem Marei recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block."
LG's offensive arsenal didn't stop there. Yang Hong-seok chipped in 18 points with five rebounds, while Yang Jun-seok added 13 points, 4 rebounds, and an impressive 9 assists along with 3 steals. The team's sharpshooting was on full display, connecting on 13 three-point shots at an outstanding 42% success rate. In contrast, KCC could muster only five threes at a 25% clip—a glaring disparity that made a world of difference. As noted, "LG hit 13 three-point shots with a 42% success rate, while KCC made 5 three-pointers at 25%."
Defensively, LG was just as ruthless. Their pressure forced KCC into 17 turnovers, which LG efficiently converted into 21 points. The KCC backcourt, featuring Heo Woong and Heo Hoon, struggled mightily under the relentless LG defense. Heo Woong tallied 12 points and Heo Hoon 14, but both shot just 42% from the field and combined for 11 turnovers. Jang Jae-seok did his best with 13 points and five rebounds, but KCC simply couldn't keep up. The absence of key players Song Gyo-chang and Choi Jun-yong due to injuries only compounded their woes.
By halftime, LG had already built a commanding 54-33 lead, thanks in large part to their aggressive perimeter shooting and timely steals. The second quarter saw big shots from Yoon Won-sang and Yang Hong-seok, while Marei and Yoo Gi-sang steadily padded the scoreboard. Four late steals in the quarter snuffed out any hopes of a KCC rally before the break.
In the third period, LG pressed their advantage. Marei, Yoo Gi-sang, and Carl Tamayo all contributed, pushing the lead to 73-44 and effectively sealing the outcome well before the final buzzer. Even as LG eased off in the closing minutes, the margin never dipped below 20 points. The game, in many ways, was over long before the clock expired.
KCC, who had been hoping to string together a third straight win and halt their slide against LG, found themselves stuck at a 21-21 record, now just half a game ahead of Suwon KT for the sixth spot. Their 17 turnovers and inability to contain LG's perimeter shooting proved fatal. As one summary noted, "KCC committed 17 turnovers with Heo Woong scoring 12 points and Heo Hoon 14 points but underperformed overall."
For LG, this victory was more than just another notch in the win column. It marked their 30th win of the season (against 13 losses), making them the first team to reach that milestone in the 2025-26 campaign. They now hold a 2.5-game lead over joint second-place teams Seoul SK and Anyang Jeonggwanjang, both sitting at 27-15. The result also continued LG's perfect record against KCC this season, now at 5-0.
After the final buzzer, the LG players took a moment to thank their loyal fans who made the trip to Busan, acknowledging their support in what has become a season of high expectations and thrilling basketball. As one eyewitness account described, "Changwon LG players thanked their fans for their support." The atmosphere in the arena, despite the lopsided outcome, was one of respect and sportsmanship.
The broader league picture also saw Anyang Jeonggwanjang notch a dominant 89-59 win over Wonju DB, with rookie Moon Yoo-hyun continuing his impressive debut season by pouring in 20 points. But all eyes were on LG and their relentless march atop the standings. Their blend of veteran leadership, dynamic imports, and rising domestic stars has made them the team to beat—at least for now.
As the regular season barrels toward its final rounds, the question lingers: Can anyone slow down this LG juggernaut? For the moment, Changwon LG stands tall, their 12-game streak over KCC intact, their confidence sky-high, and their fans dreaming of bigger things yet to come.