Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Tok Jian Sheng (NTU #0) with the free-throw attempt. He scored a game-high 23 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
NTU The Wave, Tuesday, September 12, 2017 — Despite a slow start, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) rallied to defeat Singapore Management University (SMU) 68-52 in their season opener of the Singapore University Games Basketball Championship.
NTU improve to a 1-0 win-loss record and will face National University of Singapore (NUS) next.
On the other hand, SMU have a 0-1 win-loss record and will play against Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) next.
SMU got off to a good start. Bryant Tan (SMU #14) scored a three to quickly put SMU up on top. NTU, however, had a rough start as none of their shots were falling. While NTU got to their full court press early to try and get some baskets off turnovers, SMU were able to counter them with good press-break tactics and plays to score.
Capitalizing on the energy from their good start, Brandon Ong (SMU #25) played good defense to get a steal and made the acrobatic jumper to end the first quarter. SMU were up 16-8 after the first quarter.
Making use of the break to collect themselves, NTU came into the second quarter more composed. They ran their plays smoothly and did not panic when their shots did not land. They continued to run the plays and the momentum shifted when Sean Hoo (NTU #30) knocked down a three. This energized the NTU team as they played with more vigor and focus.
Tok Jian Sheng (NTU #0), recognizing that the referees were reactive on calls, drove in more and was able to draw several fouls which sent him to the free-throw line. He converted those chances into points and scored six straight. Jian Sheng (NTU #0) eventually went on to score a game-high 23 points as NTU led 28-27 at the half.
Going into the third quarter, both sides came out strong and traded baskets. SMU kept things close with Tan Ka Jin (SMU #24) leading the charge. He scored six of his team-high 15 points in the third. However, SMU lost steam and NTU took the chance to increase their lead. NTU outscored SMU 22-10 in the third quarter to lead 50-37 at the end of the third.
NTU rode on the momentum and continued to score. While SMU tried to claw their way back, they could not stop NTU from scoring. NTU eventually took the game 68-52.
Captain Sean Hoo (NTU #30) commented, “I think the most important thing for us is that we always have to work on our defense. In the first quarter, we weren’t talking at all, everyone was playing individual defense and did not help each other. So, we need to work on that a lot more. Offense wise, first game, jitters kicked in. I think we needed to share the ball a little bit more. Everybody was trying to do their things themselves. First game jitters are understandable but hopefully moving forward, we can take care of them and play better.”
“SMU definitely came out strong. We played with them recently in another tournament as well. Same thing then as well, they came out pretty strong. A couple of their players hit big shots. I think the number 24 hit a couple of big ones, hit a couple of tough ones. They were hustling very hard as well, securing quite a few offensive rebounds. Overall they did pretty well but once we managed to tune in ourselves, once we managed to focus and do what we were supposed to do, we took care of business from there.”
Scoring by Quarters
NTU vs SMU
1st Q: 08-16
2nd Q: 20-11 (28-27)
3rd Q: 22-10 (50-37)
4th Q: 18-15 (68-52)
Top Scorers
NTU
Tok Jian Sheng (#0) – 23 pts
SMU
Tan Ka Jin (#24) – 15 pts
NTU Roster
Tok Jian Sheng (#0), Jabez Su Ming Rong (#3), Chia Zao Liang Lyon (#4), Chun Wang Xun (#6), Kan Wei Huat (#8), Wong Liang Hao Brian (#9), Ronald Yip Lang Jing (#11), Chia Wen Han (#12), Tan Zhi Sen (#14), Seah Chin Seng (#24), Lim Yong Cheng, Justin (#25), Liau Ming Shun (#27), Hoo Kang, Sean (#30), Loh Zhenqiang Russel (#32), Tan Bo Yao (#33)
SMU Roster
Alex Liew Jiin Yuan (#2), Peter Soo Zheng Yi (#4), Benedict Lim (#5), Kok En Jia (#6), Ng Yee Jian (#7), Jan Mikhael Villagracia Telan (#8), Lim Weijie Dominic (#10), Lim Shijie, Shaun (#11), Sim Huei Min Aaron (#12), Wilfred Tan Weisheng (#13), Bryant Tan Yi Hao (#14), Tan Ka Jin (#24), Ong Jin Jie Brandon (#25), Goh Ze Tian (#33)
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