Samsung Life Insurance pulled off a dramatic comeback.
Samsung Life Insurance of Yongin defeated Bucheon Hana Bank 70-68 after an overtime battle in Game 3 of the BNK Financial 2025-26 women's professional basketball semifinals at Yongin Gymnasium on the 13th. After one loss and two consecutive wins, Samsung Life Insurance needs just one more victory to advance to the championship.
In WKBL playoff history, all four teams that won Game 3 after a 1-1 split advanced to the finals. Cheongju KB Stars already advanced to the finals first with three straight wins. Samsung Life Insurance seized the chance to end the series in Game 4.
The game was fiercely contested until the end of the fourth quarter. Samsung Life Insurance, which had been trailing for much of the game, took the lead 54-52 with 6:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. Kim Areum played the biggest role in the comeback, including three consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter.
With Bae Hyeyoon's and-one and Kim Areum's 3-pointer, Samsung Life Insurance rode the momentum to a 57-52 lead with five minutes remaining. Even with four fouls, Lee Haeran did not hold back on defense.
Hana Bank's Jin An missed an easy shot under the basket. Park Sohee's 3-pointer was even an airball. Saki hit a layup and a free throw to cut the deficit to 60-61 with 1:13 remaining.
With 23.3 seconds remaining and Samsung Life Insurance leading by one, Lee Haeran was disqualified for a fifth foul. Jin An, who earned free throws, made the first and missed the second. With Kang Yurim's shot failing just before the buzzer, the game went into overtime.
Without Lee Haeran, Samsung Life Insurance's defense by Kim Areum stood out. Jin An's crucial free-throw miss allowed Samsung Life Insurance to preserve the valuable victory.
Veteran Bae Hyeyoon contributed 17 points and seven assists. Kang Yurim recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kim Areum shone on both ends, pouring in 15 points.
Hana Bank's Jin An had 19 points and 15 rebounds, but excessive reliance on her proved harmful. Iijima Saki had 13 points and five assists.
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