Shinhan Bank broke a long losing streak.
Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Bird defeated Cheongju KB Stars 78-73 on the road at Cheongju Gymnasium on the 14th in the BNK Financial 2025-2026 season women's professional basketball regular-season 5th round.
It was a valuable result that ended their recent slump. With the win, Shinhan Bank improved to a 4-19 season record and succeeded in changing the mood.
Hong Yu-sun led the early offense and injected energy into the team, and Shin I-seul led the team to victory with outside shots that shifted the momentum after the third quarter. Mima Rui took on the dirty work in the paint and kept the balance. Shinhan Bank reversed a pattern this season of failing to get over the hump after several close games in this match, and on their seventh attempt they achieved the result of breaking the losing streak.
The early stages of the game were tight. Shinhan Bank's Hong Yu-sun drove the offense with active movement. With fast transitions and finishes in the paint, she scored double digits in the first quarter alone. KB countered with Kang I-seul's outside shooting and Park Ji-su's height. After exchanging control, Shinhan Bank narrowly led 23-21 at the end of the first quarter.
The second-quarter momentum tilted toward KB. The triangle of Park Ji-su, Kang I-seul and Heo Ye-eun came alive. Park steadied the team with paint defense and rebounds, Kang piled up points alternating between outside shots and drives, and with Heo Ye-eun's playmaking added, KB widened the margin. Shinhan Bank gave up the momentum with consecutive turnovers and finished the first half down 36-44.
The player who revived the trailing Shinhan Bank was Shin I-seul. In the third quarter, Shin I-seul raised the atmosphere by repeatedly hitting bold step-back 3-pointers. Hong Yu-sun and Mima Rui added strength in the paint to narrow the gap. KB also held on with points from Kang I-seul and Park Ji-su, and the score at the end of the third quarter was still a KB lead at 60-58.
The game was decided in the final moments of the fourth quarter. Shinhan Bank, balanced by Shin I-seul's outside shots, did not lose concentration. Mima Rui withstood physical play against Park Ji-su in the paint, and Hong Yu-sun increased her activity on both ends. As the game approached the end, the teams' scoring diverged. Shin I-seul served as the closer, scoring consecutive points including a buzzer-beater in the decisive moments.
With about a minute remaining and Shinhan Bank leading 76-73, KB failed to capitalize on consecutive scoring opportunities. Even their final 3-point attempt missed the rim and the momentum completely swung. Shinhan Bank calmly managed the remaining time, and Kim Ji-young's free throws put the finishing touch on the game.
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