Tsinghua University Rallies in Overtime to Defeat Konkuk University, Advances to Semifinals

August 22 — In the fourth quarterfinal of the inaugural Asian University Basketball League (AUBL), Tsinghua University battled Konkuk University. The teams traded blows for three quarters, with Tsinghua holding a slim 1-point lead. In the fourth, Konkuk surged with an 18–5 run to go ahead by 12. Tsinghua stormed back with a dramatic 12–0 run, capped by two clutch threes from Shi Kui to tie the game. In overtime, the teams went back and forth until Xu Xitong scored a decisive basket in the final moments, lifting Tsinghua to an 88–86 comeback victory. Tsinghua advances to the semifinals, where they will face Hakuoh University. The other semifinal will feature NCCU against Etugen University.

Box Score Standouts

Tsinghua University (THU):

• Shi Kui – 23 points, 9 assists, 6 three-pointers
• Yang Kaiwen – 11 points, 6 rebounds
• Xi Taicheng – 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
• Xu Xitong – 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists (3 threes)

Konkuk University:

• Kim Jun Young – 35 points, 10 assists, 3 threes
• Yeo Chan Yeong – 20 points, 4 threes
• Kim Tae Kyun – 15 points, 4 steals

Game Recap

Tsinghua topped Group B at 2–0, while Konkuk went 1–1 to finish second in Group A.

• First Quarter: Ou Qiluo Qiaowendu scored first for Tsinghua, but Konkuk answered with a 9–2 run fueled by free throws from Kim Jun Young, who went 7-of-7 at the line. Tsinghua countered with a 14–2 run led by Shi Kui and Yang Kaiwen to take a 7-point lead. Xi Taicheng and Xu Xitong hit threes, but Yeo Chan Yeong responded from deep. Tsinghua led 24–18 after one. Yang Kaiwen was perfect (3-of-3) for 7 points, while Kim had 9 points and 2 assists on 9-of-9 free throws.
• Second Quarter: Konkuk attacked inside to cut the gap, but Shi Kui’s three and Xi’s inside finish steadied Tsinghua. The teams traded blows, with Kim Jun Young sparking a 6–0 run that put Konkuk ahead. Tsinghua lost the quarter 16–24 and trailed 40–42 at halftime. Xi had 11 for Tsinghua, while Kim poured in 21 for Konkuk.
• Third Quarter: Offense slowed early, but Xu Xitong hit a three. Shi and Xi added points inside, while Konkuk’s Kim and Yeo kept it tight at 51–51. Shi and Liu Qingwen answered, capped by a thunderous dunk from Liu. Konkuk’s Kim Tae Kyun pulled closer, but Tsinghua edged the quarter 17–14 to lead 57–56 after three. Shi had 13, Xi 15; Kim had 25, Yeo 12.
• Fourth Quarter: Kim opened with a three, and Kim Tae Kyun added another as Konkuk surged ahead. After turnovers and fast-break scores, plus a Yeo triple, Tsinghua fell behind 62–74. But Tsinghua mounted a furious rally: Shi hit free throws, Yang scored on a floater, Xi converted a three-point play, and Shi drilled back-to-back threes to tie it 74–74. Konkuk missed a last shot, sending the game to overtime.
• Overtime: Shi hit his 6th three, but Yeo answered. Konkuk scored inside to retake the lead, only for Xu Xitong to bury his 3rd triple. Kim Jun Young scored again, but Shi and Yu Haotian replied with clutch buckets for a 4-point cushion. Kim cut it to 2, and Kim Tae Kyun drove for an and-one to put Konkuk up 1. Tsinghua was hit with a technical for a timeout issue, but Kim missed the free throw. Xu Xitong then scored a decisive basket, and after Yeo missed a late three, Xu split free throws to seal it. Tsinghua prevailed 88–86 in overtime.

Starting Lineups

Tsinghua University: Shi Kui, Liu Qingwen, Ou Qiluo Qiaowendu, Yang Kaiwen, Xi Taicheng
Konkuk University: Kim Jun Young, Freddy Mbuyi, Yeo Chan Yeong, Jeon Ki Hyun, Baik Kyung

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