Story contributed by reader Tsang Winghan

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Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 – With 15 seconds left on the clock, National Junior College (NJC) unleashed a dramatic comeback with two crucial free throws from NJC's Jie Qi (#10) cocktailed with a stunning steal and run-away layup from team mate Veron (#7) to silence Dunman High School (DHS) 41-39 in the first round of the National A division basketball Championship this week. With this win, NJC are now just a step away from a spot in the second round.

The frenetic end to the match was in contrast to the slow start as both sides fielded depleted teams (NJC had only nine players and Dunman High eight). The 0-0 deadlock was only broken in the middle of the first quarter and by the end of the first quarter, Dunman High held a slight 7-6 edge over NJC.

However, NJC's defended well as a whole and with Veron leading in attack in the second quarter, NJC turned the tables to lead comfortably by 16-9 at half time.

Dunmnan High proved they are no weaklings by charging out at the second half, dominating the boards and scoring some easy points from under the basket. Both teams were neck-and-neck until a controversial refereeing decision at the end of the third quarter broke the deadlock once more.

The referee signaled possession for Dunman High despite a Dunman player deflecting the final pass during NJC's fast break at the end of the third quarter. Dunman High’s #9 stepped up for her team and seized the opportunity to bag her second 3-pointer of the day to put her team back in the lead at 28-26.

The nail-biting final quarter was peppered with inaccurate shooting and good defensive play, hardly anything separated the two equally determined teams. Extra time was evidently on the script until Dunman High broke through from under the basket to take a 39-37 lead in the final minute.

Seconds later, JieQi’s relentless spirit paid off as the opposition was forced to foul the NJC captain. Being fully aware of the perilous position her team was in, Jie Qi calmly sank her two free throws to tie it at 39-39, setting the stage for the dramatic final 15 seconds.

A nervy Dunman High squandered their next possession when they threw their side-ball straight out of bounds, but NJC was running out of luck just as much when an offensive foul was called against them for an illegal screen.

With eight seconds left on the clock, Dunman High had yet another side-ball but NJC's ever vigilant Veron emerged to steal the ball and scored through a decisive go-ahead layup to make the score 41-39. A stranded Dunman High had a mere 3.9 seconds left to perform a miracle that was just not to be, and they yielded the game to NJC.

NJC can now qualify for the second round should they beat Temasek Junior College in their next game.