Story by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports. Photos by Dylan Chua/Red Sports.

Crystal Nathasha (SCGS #9) shoots from beyond the arc. The SCGS forward scored a game-high 22 points against Unity. (Photo 1 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)

Crystal Nathasha (SCGS #9) shoots from beyond the arc. The SCGS forward scored a game-high 22 points against Unity. (Photo 1 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)

OCBC Arena, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 — Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) led from start to finish as they overwhelmed Unity Secondary (USS) for a 38-17 victory in the preliminary round of the National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.

SCGS, who now have a 2-0 win-loss record, was led by Crystal Nathasha (#9) who poured in a game-high 22 points. Unity, who now fall to 0–2, was led by Alayna Robinson (USS #11) with 6 points.

Both teams started the game struggling to make shots and were held scoreless until Crystal Nathasha (SCGS #9) made one of two free-throws for the first point of the game with 6:13 left in the period.

SCGS outscored Unity by 11-6 in the first quarter, with a hot-handed Crystal Nathasha (SCGS #9) scoring all 11 points.

The second quarter saw Unity struggling early with turnovers off the dribble and mistimed passes that allowed SCGS to score easy fast-break points. Unity also struggled in their half-court sets as they were forced into tough shots by the SCGS defense.

SCGS would go on a 14-2 run in the final 3 minutes and 40 seconds of the quarter to grab a 25-8 lead heading into the half-time break.

SCGS would extend their lead behind a suffocating full-court press that forced Unity into turnovers as they outscored Unity 11-4 to extend their lead to 36-12 heading into the final quarter.

Unity showed resilience as they put up a competitive fourth quarter where they locked up defensively and outscored SCGS 5-2.

However, a 24-point deficit proved to be too much to overcome within a quarter and SCGS would eventually walk off with a 38-17 victory at the final buzzer.

Singapore Chinese Girls’ School will next face off against Chung Cheng High School (Main) while Unity Secondary School will next play against Raffles Girls’ School. Both matches will be held at the OCBC arena on 23 March at 3.45 pm.

Scoring by Quarter
SCGS vs Unity
1st Quarter: 11–6
2nd Quarter: 14–2 (25–8)
3rd Quarter: 11–4 (36–12)
4th Quarter: 2–5 (38–17)

Top Scorers
SCGS
Crystal Nathasha D/O Mathi Vanan (#9) — 22 points

Unity
Alayna Robinson (#11) — 6 points

SCGS Roster
Fatin Nazura Bte Mohammad Rafi (#4), Haziera Bte Hairudinsah (#5), Jovys Woo Sze Lee (#6), Tori Chua (#7), Rachel Tan Rui En (#8), Crystal Nathasha D/O Mathi Vanan (#9), Wee Yi-Ning Freda (#10), Rachel Ang Rui Ci (#11), Margaret Suriya (#12), Nur Nadia Bte Abdul Ghani (#13), Alisa Sarah Bte Jefri (#14), Joanie Phua Wen Xi (#15)

Unity Roster
Nurul Nazirah (#5), Esther Lim (#23), Alayna Robinson (#11), Nadira Dol (#8), Phoebe Dorog (#97), Fion Koh (#44), Jasleen Ng (#2), Nicole Chua (#35), Nayli Sabrina (#14), Rosnadya (#70), Nurul Adilah (#12), Eunice Tan (#15)

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