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| Jameel Warney scored a clutch basket to help Seoul SK ice the game against Seoul Samsung. Seoul SK Knights (file photo) |
QUEZON CITY--Fresh from an explosion in his KBL D-League assignment, Juan Gomez De Liano was still a winner in his return to the Seoul SK Knights' main team as they held off cross-town rivals Seoul Samsung Thunders, 63-60, in a Christmas edition of the "Battle of Seoul" on Wednesday at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium.
The Knights turned to clutch baskets from An Young-Jun and Jameel Warney, which broke a 57-all tie, and also from Kim Sun-Hyung, which put pressure on the Thunders to rely on their three-point shooting in hopes of forcing overtime.
Marcus Derrickson had his chance for Seoul Samsung's needed equalizer, but he missed his buzzer-beating three.
An and Oh So-Keun each had 14 points, while Warney and Kim each chipped in 13 with Warney also grabbing 13 rebounds for the Knights, who strengthened their hold of the top spot at 15-5, 1.5 games ahead of the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
After erupting for 27 points in the D-League, Gomez De Liano only saw five minutes of action in his first team comeback and went scoreless, although he is going to have a merry Christmas with the win.
Derrickson led the Thunders, who remained in last place at 6-15, with 14 points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Choi Seung-Wook and Lee Won-Seok each added 12 points with Lee also tallying 12 rebounds.
Justin Gutang stepped up in a losing effort with 11 points on 3-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc, five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 22 minutes of action.
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