KT Hands Hiroshima Its First Loss Following a Back-and-Forth Game

December 4, 2024 – Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena, Suwon, South Korea

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The Suwon KT Sonicboom got its first home win of the season after defeating the Hiroshima Dragonflies, 80-78.

This was Hiroshima’s first loss of the season, following back-to-back wins over Hong Kong Eastern to start their EASL campaign.

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Rayshaun Hammonds won his second EASL Player of the Game honors after recording a double-double with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds.

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Post-Game Triple:

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1. See-Saw Battle Ends in KT’s Favor

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The Dragonflies came out firing in this one, jumping out to an 11-point lead early in the first, but Suwon fought back, cutting down the deficit to just three to end the quarter.

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The game went back and forth, with 24 lead changes throughout the entire game.

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With the game tied at 71 late in the fourth, Rayshaun Hammonds scored the go-ahead basket, and KT held on and won their second game of the EASL 2024-25 Season.

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2. One Import Enough for KT

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EASL rules allow teams to sport two imports on the court, but Suwon only had Rayshaun Hammonds available Wednesday night against the Dragonflies. The team cut Jeremiah Tilmon several weeks ago, while newly signed import Jordan Morgan was absent due to injuries.

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The team fully relied on Hammonds, who played nearly 30 minutes for 23 points and 14 rebounds, both game-highs.

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The local players also stepped up for KT as well, as Park Jun Young, Park Ji Won, and Han Hui Won combined to score 45 points.

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3. Evans In, Blackshear Out

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Dwayne Evans made his EASL debut Wednesday after the Dragonflies elected to go with him over two-time EASL Player of the Game, Kerry Blackshear Jr.

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Evans, the former Saint Louis University standout, who has been with Hiroshima since 2022, played a solid game after registering a team-high 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

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But fans left wondering if sitting out Blackshear was the right decision after the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 21 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5 assists in two EASL games this season. His contributions earned him a spot in EASL’s October Team of the Month.

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EASL Player of the Game: Rayshaun Hammonds - Suwon KT Sonicboom

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Rayshaun Hammonds won his second EASL Player of the Game honors after recording an impressive double-double, where he registered a game-high 23 points and 14 boards.

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Hammonds, who averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in his first two EASL games, shone as the only import for KT in this game, putting his team on his back. With less than four minutes to go in the game, Hammonds hit the go-ahead layup, which ended up to be the game-winner as the Korean side was able to close the game out with a two-point victory.

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Stat of the Game: 17-9

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Hiroshima Dragonflies came into the contest averaging 14 turnovers in their first two games. In contrast, Suwon KT Sonicboom came in averaging 11.5 turnovers per contest.

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The defending B.LEAGUE champions were unable to protect the ball in this one, recording 17 turnovers against KT, while the Korean side recorded just 9 turnovers.

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Evans led the way with 6 turnovers, while last season’s B.LEAGUE Finals MVP Takuto Nakamura turned the ball over 4 times.

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Quote of the Game: Rayshaun Hammonds on playing as the lone import

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“It’s a big win for us. Just us, playing as a team, believing in each other. For me, just bouncing back from the last game we had in EASL, playing a little better in my game. Tonight, we just focused on staying together, and not getting behind when the team is on us. With some of the players with injuries and the import not here, I just got to step up. I got to play big minutes for the team. They believe in me and I believe in them, so we just got to stay together and work it.”

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Next Games:

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Suwon KT Sonicboom: Away vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) - Dec. 11, 2024 (Macau Classic at Studio City)

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Hiroshima Dragonflies: Away vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) - Dec. 25, 2024