Host South Korea defeats Iran 79-77; captures Gold in Asian Games' Mens Basketball

Host South Korea wins the men's basketball gold medal after coming from behind to beat Iran, 79-77!

2014 Asian Games host South Korea clinched the gold medal on their own home soil after outlasting mighty Iran, 79-77, to sweep the men’s basketball tournament in Incheon, Korea.

Korea’s Moon Taejong scored a team-high 19 points and knocked down three free throws in the final minute to help the hosts come from behind and overthrow the reigning 2013 FIBA Asia champions.

Kim Jongkyu finished with 17 while Cho Sungmin added 16 as Korea completed their dream run, winning all seven of their games en route to the title.

They had to withstand a terrific performance from Iran captain Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, who led all scorers with 30 points in the game.

The Koreans started the game strong, outscoring the Iranians 25-16 in the first period.

But Iran bounced back in a big way in the second period, scoring eight straight points to come to within one, 25-24. They briefly took the lead before Korea mounted another offensive assault, scoring 10 unanswered points to return to the driver’s seat and lead, 42-36, at the half.

But the Iranians would once again reclaim the lead, going up, 61-58, at the end of the third period.

Iran would lead by five points, 75-70, with under three minutes remaining.

But Korea, playing in front of their home fans, charged right back. An and one basket for Korea tied the game at 75-all with the ensuing free throw giving the lead back to the hosts, 76-75.

Moon then earned a trip to the line and made both to make it 78-75 with just 16.9 seconds remaining.

Bahrami, who shot 10-for-18 from two-point range in the game, closed the margin with his final basket of the game, brining Iran to within one, 78-77.

But Moon hit one-for-two from the line and Iran could not buy a basket in the final seconds as Korea picked up the gold.

It was Korea’s fourth gold medal in Asian Games history, also winning it all in 1970, 1982 and 2002. Asian powerhouse Iran, which has been dominant in the region of late but was playing in its first ever Asian Games final, was denied of a potential first ever gold in the tournament.

THE SCORES:

SOUTH KOREA 79 - MOON Taejong 19, KIM Jongkyu 17, CHO Sungmin 16, YANG Donggeun 8, PARK Chanhee 6, OH Sekeun 4, YANG Heejong 3, LEE Jonghyun 2, KIM Sunhyung 2, KIM Joosung 2

IRAN 77 - NIK KHAHBAHRAMI Mohammadsamad 30, EHADADI Hamed 14, KAMRANI Mahdi 10, AFAGH Hamed 8, ZANGENEH Arman 5, MASHAYEKHI Sajjad 4, SAHAKIAN Oshin 3, KARDOUSTPOUSTINSARAEI Asghar 3.

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