Story by REDintern Ellis Yap. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Dawn Liew (NJC #11) looks to shoot. Liew scored a game-high 19 points. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, May 4, 2015 — National Junior College (NJC) defeated Victoria Junior college (VJC) 47–29 to advance to the semi-final of the National A Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
With the win, NJC hold a 3–1 win loss record, clinching the second qualifying spot of Group A.
Dawn Liew (NJC #11) had a game-high 19 points, which included three three-pointers. Despite being hurt in the fourth quarter, Louise Yip (VJC #11) still managed to contribute a team-high 15 points.
VJC started off the ball game with sky-high morale, racing to an 8–0 lead just two minutes into the game to give NJC an early scare. A time-out was immediately called by NJC due to their cold start.
Louise Yip (VJC #11) scored 13 of the 21 points put up by the entire VJC team in the first half. She was relentless on offense, using her height advantage against a smaller starting unit of NJC. NJC had a hard time guarding her, fouling her multiple times as she drove through traffic.
VJC held NJC scoreless for a good six minutes in the first quarter. VJC had the biggest lead of the game when they were up 11–0 with about four minutes left on the clock in the first quarter.
Then, out of the blue, NJC used two consecutive three-pointers from Dawn Liew (NJC #11) to reduce the deficit to 11-6. Gwen Sim (NJC #4) dropped yet another three-pointer on a succeeding possession to silence the crowd and their opponents. The first quarter ended with VJC ahead 13–11.
The second quarter of the game was a tight one with neither side loosening their grip. VJC relied heavily on Emily Lim (VJC #8) and Louise Yip (VJC #11) in the second quarter as they managed to keep the game close.
NJC got their momentum going in the second quarter as their players started to appear more confident on both ends of the floor. Despite their defense, Louise Yip (VJC #11) still found a way to the basket. VJC managed to stay ahead 22–21 at the end of the second quarter.
VJC could not hold their ground in the second half as fatigue started to sneak in on their key players, Emily Lim (VJC #8) and Louise Yip (VJC #11). VJC were overly reliant on Louise Yip (VJC #11) on offense but her stamina could not sustain her high-paced game.
Although Dawn Liew (NJC #11) still did much of the heavy lifting on offense, NJC had a more balanced roster, with necessary substitutions to give the players substantial rest throughout the game.
With the NJC players getting ample rest time, NJC was able to sustain their defensive tactics. Things got worse in the fourth quarter when Louise Yip (VJC #11) sustained an injury when she drove to the basket on a play.
In the absence of Louise Yip (VJC #11), Emily Lim (VJC #8) had to step up but she could not find her offensive rhythm, missing multiple under-basket shots and lay-ups while concurrently going cold at the free throw line. VJC fell to a 42–25 hole with three minutes left on the clock.
Despite their strong start, VJC only managed to score just seven points in the second half, allowing NJC to take the 18-point win.
Scoring by quarter
VJC vs NJC
1st Quarter: 13–11
2nd Quarter: 9–10 (22–21)
3rd Quarter: 0–10 (22–31)
4th Quarter: 7–16 (29–47)
Top scorers
VJC
Louise Yip (#11) – 15 points
NJC
Dawn Liew (#11) – 19 points (3 x 3-pointer)
VJC Roster
Tan Zhao (#4), Yoke Say (#5), Ci Xean (#6), Valerie Chua (#7), Emily Lim (#8), Trini Tan (#9), Zoey Tan (#10), Louise Yip (#11), Yoojin (#12), Jade Tan (#13), Clara Lee (#14), Wensin (#15)
NJC Roster
Gwen Sim (#4), Selina Fang (#5), Chok Xin Yan (#6), Quah Jing Wen (#7), Vera Phang (#8), Kristerbel Pang (#9), Kho Yan Xin (#10), Dawn Liew (#11), Lenet Kong (#12), Emer Hoon (#13), Ng Jing Yi (#14), Eleana Tan (#15)
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