Iran hold off relentless Korea to set up Final with Australia
Iran edged Korea 87-81 to join Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 Final on Sunday.
BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Iran edged Korea 87-81 to join Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 Final on Sunday.
Korea ultimately ran of steam, having recovered from a 21-point deficit in the first half to make a game of it down the stretch.
Arsalan Kazemi had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, whilst missing just a single shot for Iran, Behnam Yakhchali had 21 points, and Hamed Haddadi once again flirted with a triple double as he finished with 7 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists.
Sekeun Oh had 21 points and Junbeom Jeon had 20 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists to lead Korea.
💯 He's good isn't he? Yakhchali once again puts on a clinic as Iran advance to #FIBAAsiaCup2017 Final👏🇮🇷 pic.twitter.com/DjaRsbne46
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 19, 2017
Having trailed by 21, Korea brought it back to within six at halftime, largely behind the play of Jeon, who had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals at the break.
They kept on coming in the third, Sekeun Oh got going, finishing with 8 in the period, as Korea took control and a lead going into the final quarter, setting up a thrilling finish.
Multiple lead changes occurred to open the fourth, before Iran managed to gain an edge with a 5-0 run heading into the final five minutes from which point they would hold on, despite Korea's best efforts.