Gwangju University’s Yang Yoo-jung (170 cm, F) has become one of the best players in the league in just two years.

Led by Yang, Gwangju University defeated Busan National University 63-51 in the championship game of the 2023 KUSF University Basketball U League Women’s Division at Busan National University’s Gyeongam Gymnasium on Wednesday. After dominating the entire game, Gwangju University once again proved to be a formidable foe for Busan National University.

For the second year in a row, Gwangju fell short of the title, but this time it was a different story. After finishing fourth in the regular season, Gwangju defeated Suwon University and Pusan National University, the first and second-ranked teams, side by side in the playoffs.

This is the first time in the history of the program that the fourth-place finisher in the regular season has won the championship.

On the day, Yang Yoo-jung was named MVP after playing the entire game and recording 26 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. He led the offense with his high volume of activity. After scoring just nine points in the first half, he dominated the second half with 17 points. Yang Yoo-jung activated her scoring arsenal at every critical juncture, breaking Busan’s will to catch up.

After the game, Yang Yoo-jung said, “It was hard because I had a car accident on the way to Busan, but I’m glad we won. Coach (Kook Seon-kyung) talked about withdrawing, but our players had a strong will to play. I felt like it had to be today, so I said so,” he said of the win.

He continued, “I think we won because of our defense. “I think we won because of our defense, which we’ve been practicing for the playoffs,” he said.

He also reflected on his own performance.

“I’m not 100% satisfied. I still have a lot to grow and a lot to work on. But the whole team did a good job.” Yang said.

“I didn’t expect to win MVP at all,” said Yang, who has become one of the best players in the league in just her second year of college. I thought my sisters would get it because all my teammates played well. I feel undeserving of the honor, and I also feel a sense of responsibility to do better in the future,” she said of her MVP win.

Coach Kook Seon-kyung praised Yang’s potential, saying that if she could improve her outside shot, she could become a scary player in the future.

Yang Yoo-jung nodded in agreement, saying, “I need to practice my shooting a lot. When I was in high school, I thought I wasn’t good 메이저사이트 enough (to go pro), so I chose to go to college. I want to make up for my deficiencies in the remaining time and become a professional player in the future,” she said.

After making history by becoming the first women’s college team to finish fourth in the regular season, Yang turned her attention to the national championships in a month’s time. Gwangju University, representing Gwangju, will meet Ulsan University, representing Ulsan, in the first round on October 14.

“It’s the last game of the season with my sisters. I’m determined to do well in every game and try to win a medal,” he said.