Story By REDintern Jiexin Neo. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Amelia Lee (NTU #10) drives against Shermaine See (TP #11). The pair had 16 points and 18 points respectively to lead their teams. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
NTU Sports and Recreation Centre, Tuesday, January 28, 2014 — Nanyang Technological University (NTU) hung on to defeat Temasek Polytechnic (TP) 65–60, emerging champions in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.
Shermaine See (TP #11) had a game-high 18 points, while Amelia Lee (NTU #10) registered a team-high 16.
NTU had a furious start to the game, putting up a dominant team performance in the paint on both ends.
TP seemed to be unsynchronized and struggled on the offensive end. However, TP’s Priscilla Han (#13) and Zoe Eng (#6) were strong on the defensive end, denying multiple NTU attempts. With a minute left on the clock, TP trailed 11–17. A quick time-out saw TP return to sink five straight points to reduce the deficit, ending the quarter 16–18.
The lead exchanged hands a few times in the second quarter. No more than three points separated the teams at any point of time. TP had a chance to gain the lead, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity as they squandered many possessions.
Amelia (NTU #10) was unstoppable in the paint, causing pressure to her defenders as they were unable to contain her. Yukie Yoshida (NTU #13) was quick on the ball, getting past her defenders effortlessly.
With both teams demanding for the lead, the score remained stagnant at 20–22 for a few minutes until Tsang Wei Yi (NTU #2) nailed an uncontested 3-pointer on the wing. TP and NTU continued to put points onto the scoreboard with admirable team effort, bringing the first half to a close with TP taking a single point lead at 31–30.
In the third quarter, NTU executed aggressive defence, forcing many turnovers that led to easy transition baskets. Offensively, Chua Cunfang (NTU #21) stepped up her game with strong drives, threatening TP’s defense with her easy intrusion into the key. NTU had their biggest lead of the game at 42–48 when the quarter ended.
In the final quarter, sparked by excellent offensive execution, TP managed to whittle down NTU’s lead to just one point. NTU started to lose momentum, but Tan Seow Hwee (NTU #15) and Lim Jia Min (NTU #6) kept their heads in the game. Seow Hwee (NTU #15) had several steals that led to easy fast break opportunities. She contributed eight points in the last quarter.
Pauline Ang’s (TP #5) presence was pivotal in the last quarter. She was resilient in the paint and earned many free throw chances which she converted. Priscilla (TP #13) played provider in the high post, distributing good passes. Violet Chua (TP #10) and Shermaine (TP #11) did not falter and hung on with their aggressive drives.
However, TP’s offensive displays were not enough as Jia Min (NTU #6) and Cunfang (NTU #21) sank three free throws to ice the game at 65–60.
TP captain Shermaine (#11) said, “It was a tough fight. We didn’t expect the scores to be so close. Towards the end I think we did not handle the situation well. However, defence-wise, I think we did well as we managed to contain one of their key players, Jia Min.”
NTU captain Wei Yi (#2) said, “I think both teams played well and we had our fair share of mistakes. I’m proud of my team as we held and fought on together.”
Scoring by Quarter
TP vs NTU
1Q: 16–18
2Q: 15–12 (31–30)
3Q: 11–18 (42–48)
4Q: 18–17 (60–65)
Top Scorers
TP
See Kai Ting Shermaine (#11) – 18 points (2 x 3 pointer)
Violet Chua Zi Qi (#10) – 10 points (1 x 3 pointer)
NTU
Amelia Lee Yilin (#10) – 16 points
Chua Cunfang (#21) – 13 points
TP Roster
Sin Man Yi (#1), Vinnie Koh Yan Ying (#3), Tung Kah Hui (#4), Pauline Ang Siew Ting (#5), Zoe Eng (TP #6), Janice Ong Chin Hwee (#7), Jowilly Siew Mei Kit (#8), Gillian Leong Kah Kay (#9), Violet Chua Zi Qi (#10), See Kai Ting Shermaine (#11), Tan Ying Yi (#12), Han Meiqi Priscilla (#13), Tan Yue Ting (#21), Michelle Chew Jia Er (#24), Lee Hui Xin (#26)
NTU Roster
Ong Xue Li (#1), Tsang Wei Yi (#2), Yip Wen Yi Merlin (#4), Khong Yuen Mun Faith Gloria (#5), Lim Jia Min (#6), He Ran (#7), Koh Pei Ying (#8), Amelia Lee Yilin (#10), Ramona Wong Wei Xuan (#11), Lee Pei Jing (#12), Yukie Yoshida (#13), Anthea Chan (#14), Tan Seow Hwee (#15), Zhong Xin Jing (#16), Chua Cunfang (#21)
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