By Zachary Foo/Red Sports

Lim Boon Yee (HCI #7) launching a hook shot over a sea of defenders. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Lim Boon Yee (HCI #7) launching a hook shot over a sea of defenders. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, April 8, 2015 — Defending champions Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) eked out a 41–39 win over National Junior College (NJC) in the National A Division Girls Basketball Championship.

The bulk of HCI’s points came from the trio of Au Zi Yu (#9), Lin Yuan (#13) and Lim Boon Yee (#7), as they combined to score 35 points for their team. Dawn Liew (NJC #11) and Kristabel Pang (NJC #9) led their team with 15 and 10 points respectively.

Au Zi Yu (HCI #9) started off the game with a three-pointer, which looked to set the tone for the rest of the game. However, NJC overcame their struggles early in the quarter to steal a 10–6 lead going into the first break. Dawn Liew (NJC #11) was a main factor in NJC taking the lead, scoring two three-pointers in the period.

HCI struggled to create buckets in the second quarter, as their players could not score in the paint. Lim Boon Yee (HCI #7) broke their drought by hitting a jumper from the elbow, ending an eight-minute drought that stretched from the first quarter.

Subsequent baskets by Boon Yee (HCI #7), Lin Yuan (HCI #13) and Yu Shin (HCI #15) gave HCI their first lead of the game. However, Kristerbel Pang (NJC #9) would have nothing of it, scoring five points of her own to give her team the lead heading into half-time.

Both teams could not find the net for the first three minutes of the third quarter, with Kristebel Pang (NJC #9) breaking the deadlock with two free throws. Lin Yuan (HCI #13) scored six straight points for her team to cut NJC’s lead to one point.

HCI looked to be in control when they held a three-point lead with time winding down in the third period. However, a three-pointer by Dawn Liew (NJC #11) made sure they were all tied up leading into the fourth.

HCI took the initiative early in the fourth quarter, taking the lead via free throws. Dawn Liew (NJC #11) kept her team in the game, making timely three-pointers when it mattered.

As time wound down, both teams played defence tightly, not letting their marks get away from them. Both Boon Yee (HCI #7) and Zi Yu (HCI #9) were pivotal for HCI in this period, scoring baskets that allowed them to maintain the lead. Kristerbel Pang (NJC #9) hit a buzzer-beating 3 at the end of the period, but it was not enough, as HCI came out 41–39 victors.

HCI captain, Lin Yuan (#13), said, “We played our first game today and it really wasn’t up to our standard. We played catch-up in the first half, but I was proud of that my team was able to come back and claim the win. Even though we were trailing during that period, we were motivated to win the game, so being behind did not really affect us.”

HCI will face Victoria Junior College in their next match on Wednesday, April 15, while NJC will face St. Andrew’s Junior College on Monday, April 20. Both games will be played at the Singapore Basketball Centre.

Scoring by Quarter
NJC vs HCI
1st Quarter: 10–6
2nd Quarter: 10–11 (20–17)
3rd Quarter: 7–10 (27–27)
4th Quarter: 12–14 (39–41)

Top Scorers
NJC
Dawn Liew (#11) – 15 points (5 x 3-pointers)
Kristerbel Pang (#9) – 10 points

HCI
Au Zi Yu (#9) – 13 points
Lin Yuan (#13) – 12 points
Lim Boon Yee (#7) – 10 points

NJC Roster
Gwen Sim (#4), Selina Fang (#5), Chok Xin Yan (#6), Quah Jing Wen (#7), Vera Phang (#8), Kristerbel Pang (#9), Kho Yan Xin (#10), Dawn Liew (#11), Lenet Kong (#12), Emer Hoon (#13), Ng Jing Yi (#14), Eleana Tan (#15)

HCI Roster
Sheryl Ng (#4), Nichole Tan (#5), Chloe Yan (#6), Lim Boon Yee (#7), Jia Hwee (#8), Au Zi Yu (#9), Xiu Yi (#10), Daliniraj (#11), Ya Lian (#12), Lin Yuan (#13), Chloe Tan (#14), Chan Yu Shin (#15)

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