By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

SUniG Netball Championship SIM vs SMU

Nicole Lim (GS) of SMU controls the ball against Dominica Tan (GD) of SIM. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

Singapore Institute of Management, Monday, September 29, 2014 — Singapore Management University (SMU) rode a strong second-half effort to defeat Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) 48–36, securing a third-placed finish in the Singapore University Games (SUniG) Netball Championship.

SMU conclude their season with a 3–2 win-loss record, while SIM have a 1–3 win-loss record.

SMU took awhile to settle down in the game, allowing SIM to race off to a 5–0 lead. SMU quickly recovered, putting an end to SIM’s offensive momentum. SMU opted for high overhead passes to Goal Shooter Nicole Lim, who towered over the SIM defence. This proved effective as SMU capitalized on a 5–0 run to take their first lead (9–7) of the game. SIM quickly responded with a 5–1 run to take the 12–10 lead to end the first quarter.

Both teams exchanged goals early in the second quarter. With seven minutes remaining in the quarter, a goal by SMU’s Nicole Lim tied the game at 17 apiece. A series of quick SIM turnovers allowed SMU to take a 22–21 lead to end the second quarter.

Tight defence, coupled with poor shooting from SIM, helped SMU maintain their lead in the third quarter. With two minutes remaining, good defence from SIM’s Goal Defence, Dominica Tan, sparked three unanswered points to reduce the deficit to three points. SMU’s Goal Defence, Parveen Nair, had two crucial interceptions to help SMU extend the lead to 34–29 at the end of the quarter.

SIM’s shooting woes continued in the final quarter, as they were unable to make most of their attempts. Sylviane Sie (Wing Defence), Parveen Nair (Goal Defence), Vanessa Lim (Goal Keeper) combined for several interceptions on the defensive end, forcing several SIM turnovers. On offence, SMU maintained their strategies, lobbing the ball to Goal Shooter Nicole Lim for several easy goals. SMU’s strong second-half effort helped them to the eventual 48–36 victory.

“Awesome. It’s very tiring but it feels awesome that we won. We’re a very young team and most of us have yet to know each other for long, so it definitely feels great,” said SMU captain, Wong Pei Shan.

SMU team manager, Amalina, said, “The girls really wanted to win today. We didn’t focus too much on what the opponents did, but instead on our own game. So I think that pulled off, and we managed to get the win. I’m really proud of them.”

The victory helped secure SMU a berth in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games, where only the top three teams from both SUniG and the Polytechnic-ITE (POL-ITE) Games will qualify.

SIM will next face Singapore Institute of Technology in the season concluding game on Wednesday, September 29. The game will be played at 8.40 p.m. at Singapore Institute of Management.

Score by quarter
SIM vs SMU
1st quarter: 12–10
2nd quarter: 9–12 (21–22)
3rd quarter: 8–12 (29–34)
4th quarter: 7–14 (36–48)

SIM Roster
Dominica Tan Yanfeng, Carmen Sarah Wee Jia Wen, Nur Afiqah Binte Aziz, Tan Jinglin, Chua Jia Xun, Lee Sze Min Janice, Asqiha Binte Abdul Wahab, Tan Lee San Brenda, Koh Sze Lin, Lim Si Ting, Lim Susin, Mabel Long Si Ling, Lee Cai Yun, Brenda Poh Jing Ting

SMU Roster
Alvina Ow Swee Ting, Aqilah Tasneem Allaudeen, Florence Lee Dong Qin, Lim Jiaxian Nicole, Nashita Theanathan Pillay, Parveen Nair, Sheena Gan Chu Quan, Sylviane Sie Siu Ming, Tan Jieying Jaqueline, Tricia Tang Yan Ning, Vanessa Lim Jia Ning, Vivien Lim Jia Yi, Wong Pei Shan, Zara Andrea Leu

SUniG Netball Championships — fixtures and results

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