By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

SUniG Basketball Women's SIM vs NTU

Juliana Ang (#3) of SIM drives the ball against NUS. Juliana led SIM with a team-high 12 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

NUS University Town, Tuesday, September 9, 2014 — A pair of free throws from Pham Hoang Lan (#24) foiled a late comeback by National University of Singapore (NUS), giving Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) a 58–54 victory in their second game of the Singapore University Games (SUniG) Basketball Championship.

Both SIM and NUS are tied at second position with a 1–1 win-loss record. SIM lost their previous game to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), while NUS defeated Singapore Management University (SMU) in their previous game.

Juliana Ang (#3) led SIM with 12 points, while Zoe Eng (#6) and Priscilla Han (#13) contributed 11 points each. Clara Chua (#31) led NUS with a game-high 14 points, while Nur Shuhadah (#5) added 11 points.

In the opening quarter, SIM’s frontcourt combination of Zoe Eng (#6) and Priscilla Han (#13) was effective, forcing NUS to opt for attempts from beyond the restricted area. Priscilla Han (#13) had a good showing on the offensive end, putting up six points in the quarter. Despite SIM’s defensive efforts, Clara Chua (#31) and Nur Shuhadah (#5) of NUS managed to combine for nine points to keep the game close. SIM led 17–12 at the end of the quarter.

Taking advantage of SIM’s reduced field goal percentage in the second quarter, a baseline jumper from Nur Shuhadah (#5) capped off a 6–0 run to give NUS their first lead (22–21) of the game with four minutes remaining. Zoe Eng (#6) responded with a basket of her own to reclaim SIM’s lead. A three-pointer by Jacqueline Tan (#7) put SIM up 32–28 at the end of the half.

NUS increased their defensive intensity in the second half, forcing several SIM turnovers. After a series of baskets, a three-pointer by Vanessa Tan (#1) and an uncontested drive by Edna Lim (#9) gave NUS a single-point 41–40 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Both teams traded baskets throughout the closing quarter. NUS maintained their defensive pressure, and used a 6–0 run to reduce the deficit to three points with a minute left to play. SIM, plagued with foul trouble, turned the ball over several times in the final frame.

With two seconds remaining, Clara Chua (#31) of NUS knocked down a free throw to reduce the deficit to two points. On the ensuing possession, NUS resorted to fouling SIM’s Pham Hoang Lan (#24). Hoang Lan’s pair of free throws sealed the game for SIM, putting them ahead by four points.

SIM captain, Evelyn Lew (#10), said, “Our team really put in a lot of effort, especially our main players. We have a lot of new players this year, and we lost to NUS in a friendly game previously, so this is really a good comeback for us.”

“We are looking for a win in the next game, and we will definitely not be complacent about it,” added Evelyn. SIM will next play SMU on Tuesday, September 16. The game will be held at NUS University Town at 7 p.m. NUS will face defending champions NTU on the same day, in the following game, at 8.30 p.m.

Scoring by Quarters
SIM vs NUS
1st Quarter: 17–12
2nd Quarter: 15–16 (32–28)
3rd Quarter: 8–13 (40–41)
4th Quarter: 18–13 (58–54)

Top Scorers
SIM
Ang Wei Theng Juliana (#3) – 12 points
Zoe Eng (#6) – 11 points
Han Meiqi Priscilla (#13) – 11 points

NUS
Clara Chua (#31) – 14 points
Nur Shuhadah Binte Mohamed Abdul Gaffoor (#5) – 11 points

SIM Roster
Roxanne Yeo Yee Ling (#1), Ang Wei Theng Juliana (#3), Jowilly Siew Mei Kit (#4), Zoe Eng (#6), Jacqueline Tan (#7), Jesse Lee Ya Wen (#8), Chong Hui Pin (#9), Evelyn Lew Yi Ling (#10), Lee Xin Yu (#11), Chia Bi Ru (#12), Han Meiqi Priscilla (#13), Liu Xiayu (#21), Yeo Sze Yee Lois (#22), Wong Jing Ying (#23), Pham Hoang Lan (#24)

NUS Roster
Tan Xin Yi Vanessa (#1), Tan Yen Yi (#2), Tan Hsiang Yi (#4), Nur Shuhadah Binte Mohamed Abdul Gaffoor (#5), Sherlin Toh (#6), Lim Yi Jieh Edna (#9), Ong Jia Le (#10), Law Wei Ning (#11), Peng An Qi Ann (#12), Ong Jia Min (#13), Tan Yi Lin (#14), Oon Zi Gui (#15), Chee Shi Ya (#20), Chua Xing Fang Clara (#31)

SUniG Basketball (Women’s) Championship – fixtures and results

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