Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Lyon Chia (NTU #2) feeds the center in the post. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
NTU The Wave, Wednesday, June 29, 2017 — Nanyang Technological University (NTU) overwhelmed Singapore Management University (SMU) 76-48 to take the home victory in the National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) Basketball League.
With this win, NTU continue their undefeated streak with a 3-0 win-loss record. They defeated Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) previously. NTU will play their final game against Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
On the other hand, SMU have a 1-2 win-loss record. They defeated SP previously but lost to RP. They will play their final game against NP.
SMU got off to a good start. Peter Soo (SMU #4) knocked down two three-point shots in a row to quickly give SMU the six-point lead. Despite that, NTU were unfazed as Lyon Chia (NTU #2) drove in to draw the foul. He made one of two free-throws and Seah Chin Seng (NTU #6) made a jumper on the subsequent play to cut the SMU lead.
Both sides continued to trade basket with NTU sticking close behind. Lyon Chia (NTU #2) made a tough layup to give NTU their first lead of the game. He went on to make a three-point shot to extend their lead farther. NTU were up 16-14 at the end of the first after trailing for bulk of the first quarter.
NTU carried their momentum into the second quarter. They went on a 10-run to get ahead with a 12-point lead. However, SMU got into their groove and started scoring as well. SMU were able to cut the 12-point lead down to nine. NTU were up 35-26 at the half.
Going into the third, SMU upped their defensive intensity to try and contain NTU. They were successful in containing NTU but NTU also fought harder on the defensive end. This prevented SMU from scoring easily and NTU continued to steadily increase their lead.
With no answer to counter NTU, SMU were not able to stop NTU from increasing their lead. NTU eventually overwhelmed SMU 76-48 to take the home victory.
NTU captain, Seah Chin Seng (NTU #6), commented, “SMU did well in playing pretty fast, they moved the ball around. All their players get a touch on the ball and they managed to score a lot of points in the first quarter. What we did to counter them was we picked up on our defensive end. We played better defense subsequently from the first quarter. Like in the second and third quarter, we limited them to lesser points. This got our momentum going and our defensive confidence went up so they weren’t able to score easy baskets. Also, on the transition, we were able to attack strong and score more points as we were able to capitalize on their weaker transition defense. This led to our victory over SMU.”
“I think for this competition, the main thing is not about winning the matches but getting the experience. Especially for us, we have quite a number of year ones that are coming in in August. So the coach were able to use them more in these NYSI matches to try them out and determine if they would be good choices for the games in SUNIG and IVP. For the three games we played so far, in the first two games, we didn’t really played well but this game we really played better on our defensive end.”
Scoring by Quarter
NTU vs SMU
1st Q: 16-14
2nd Q: 19-12 (35-26)
3rd Q: 13-07 (48-33)
4th Q: 28-15 (76-48)
Top Scorers
NTU
Chia Zao Liang Lyon (#2) – 14 pts
Yiew Zhi Heng (#1) – 10 pts
SMU
Peter Soo (#4) – 17 pts
NTU Roster
Yiew Zhi Heng (#1), Chia Zao Liang Lyon (#2), Tok Jian Sheng (#4), Seah Chin Seng (#6), Pek Yong Kang (#7), Kan Wei Huat (#8), Kua Hiong Yong (#10), Ronald Yip Lang Jing (#11), Tan Zhi Sen (#14), Wong Liang Hao Brian (#20), Liau Ming Shun (#30), Tan Bo Yao (#33), Wenhan (#34), Xavier Toh Hong Sheng, Lim Yong Cheng Justin, Hoo Kang Sean, Jabez Su Ming Rong
SMU Roster
Alex Liew (#2), Peter Soo (#4), Ng Yee Jian (#7), Benedict Lim (#9), Dominic Lim (#10), Shaun Lim (#11), Wilfred Tan (#13), Bryant Tan (#14), Wei Chang (#14purple), Dominic Lim (#16), Mikhael (#18), Koh Bu Jin (#23), Ka Jin (#24), Brandon Ong (#91)
NYSI Basketball League – fixtures and results
More photos next page
Leave A Comment