Seoul SK Knights rally past Bay Area Dragons in EASL

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Glen Yang of the Bay Area Dragons in the EASL. – Photos of the Pool

UTSUNOMIYA – Seoul SK rallied from an 18-point deficit on Thursday night to stun Bay Area, 92-84, in the debut of two East Asian Super League Champions League games at the Nikkan Arena here.

Import Jameel Warney had 30 points that went with 18 rebounds, while the Korean national team Kim Sun-hyung chipped in 22 more to spur the Knights’ fightback and notch the first key win in the five-day showcase.

After being in control for most of the game, the Dragons came to a blistering end, a 21-0 run late in the third quarter that kept the Korean Basketball League champions at bay for the first few minutes of the frame.

Andrew Nicholson had 35 points and 15 rebounds while Myles Powell pumped 25 points and eight assists in the first official game together for the Bay Area. But with only Hayden Blankley contributing the other 12, the EASL club held their own until the end.

“In the end they ran out of gas. They were carrying a heavy load. They got the lead, and I had to give them a few minutes in the third quarter and I didn’t. I kicked myself when we went down behind,” said Brian Goorjian, whose crew last played competitively in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last January 15.

“I have to take this in myself, see what this means. It is important for the organization that we go out tomorrow and we play really hard and respect, but the reality of this loss is quite devastating,” he said.

Seoul looks to annex its second straight win and pretty much lock up a berth in the finals when it goes up against TNT on Saturday.

Bay Area, meanwhile, shoots for a comeback against hometown bet Utsunomiya, who defeated Tropang Giga by 33 points on Saturday night.

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