No.10 Im Sung-chae attempts a three-pointer

The Kyung Hee University (KHU) basketball team saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end on September 7, falling 63-54 to Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Round 15 of the KUSF Basketball U-League at KHU's Seonseung Building. The loss dropped KHU to third in the standings at the start of a decisive stretch of the second half, with games against league-leading Chung-Ang University (CAU) and defending champion Korea University (KU) still to come.

KHU ace Bae, Hyun-sik struggles after muscle injury

Slow Start and Costly Injury Hurt KHU

KHU appeared somewhat tense in the early stages, playing its first league game in two months. Struggling to deal with SKKU's transition speed, the team gave away 24 points in the first quarter alone. Although KHU seemed to regain its rhythm in the second quarter, it was unable to shift the momentum and went into halftime trailing 40-32.

In the third quarter, KHU's defense regained its composure and began to control SKKU's attack. However, with six minutes remaining in the quarter, the league's third-highest scorer, Bae Hyun-sik, left the court with a muscle injury. KHU outscored SKKU 11-8 in the quarter, cutting the deficit by only three points.

Bae returned in the fourth quarter but, visibly uncomfortable, was substituted out again without making a significant impact. SKKU seized the opportunity, regrouped its offense, and scored 15 points in the final quarter to seal a nine-point victory.

What decided the game was SKKU's composure and discipline. While KHU earned only three free-throw attempts, converting all three, SKKU made 10 of 11 from the line, outscoring KHU by seven points on free throws alone. SKKU's ability to defend without committing fouls proved decisive.

Players from both teams battle for position under the basket

Streak Over, but Playoff Hopes Intact

Despite the defeat, KHU has enjoyed a remarkable season. In June, the team reached its 10th league win against Konkuk University—its first double-digit win total in four years—and followed it with two more victories to complete the eight-game streak, which had begun with April's win over Hanyang University. Although the run is now over, a return to the playoffs for the first time in two years remains well within reach. Now at 12-3, KHU sits in third place, trailing CAU and KU, the latter winners of four consecutive league titles.

The winning streak may be over, but the playoff race remains tight. With the second half of the season underway, KHU will need to maintain its position in the standings as it faces the league's top teams in the games ahead.