Story by REDintern Ellis Yap. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports

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Jonathan (YJC #11) looks to drive the ball past Jess Teo (ACJC #11). (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, April 30, 2015 — Yishun Junior College (YJC) pocketed a narrow 46–44 win over Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) to mark an end to their National A Division Basketball Championship season.

The game was a close one, with a decisive foul called on ACJC in the dying seconds of the final period that led to a YJC victory. YJC were led with a game-high 19 points from Devin Tan (YJC #10), along with 12 points from teammate Hua Haowei (YJC #9).

The story of the game was Hua Haowei (YJC #9) with all 12 points coming from the three-point arc. The top scorer of ACJC was Loke Yong Lum (ACJC #9) with a team-high 16 points.

YJC outscored ACJC 28–22 in the first half. Despite the lead, YJC were met by a tough wave of offense from ACJC. ACJC were not going to let the game slip away without putting up a fight.

Devin Nathanael (ACJC #7), Loke Yong Lum (ACJC #9), Jordan Wong (ACJC #10) contributed the majority of the score as they carried the team on their back throughout the game. They finished the game with a combined 34 points, more than two-thirds of the total points put up by their whole team.

The fourth quarter was when the game got intense. Both teams traded baskets as they showed no sign of fatigue despite playing at a high tempo throughout the game.

The game was tied at 44 apiece in the final 30 seconds of the game. Both teams had a couple of good looks and a basket would have put the game away, but neither team could find the bottom of the net.

Just as the final match of the day seemed to be headed to overtime, Devin Tan (YJC #10) was fouled as he attempted to sneak past the defense by driving along the baseline. It was the fifth team foul for ACJC and he was sent to the line. With composure, he dropped both free throws to give YJC a 46–44 lead with less than two seconds left on the clock.

The clock wound down and YJC took the 46–44 win to end off their season on a high.

Devin Tan (YJC #10) said, “It was a very good experience for most of the guys in our team throughout the whole season. Our roster this year comprised of guys who have mostly little to no basketball background, and because of that it is a very precious experience for them.”

Hua Haowei (YJC #9) added, “It is a very good feeling to be able to win. It is a special kind of sentiment to end off the season with a win, something that I will not be able to experience elsewhere.”

Scoring by quarter
1st Quarter: 18–13
2nd Quarter: 28–22 (10–9)
3rd Quarter: 37–34 (9–12)
4th Quarter: 46–44 (9–10)

Top scorers
YJC
Devin Tan (#10) – 19 points
Hua Haowei (#9) – 12 points (4 x 3-pointers)

ACJC
Loke Yong Lum (#9) – 16 points (2 x 3-pointers)
Devin Nathanael (#7) – 10 points
Jordan Wong (#10) – 8 points

YJC Roster
Jay Teh (#4), Ng Sweeyong (#5), Frank Chen (#6), Wong Wei Heng (#7), Randy Ong (#8), Hua Haowei (#9), Devin Tan (#10), Jonathan (#11), Jeremy Chua (#12), Zachery Lee (#13), Poh Jun Hui (#14), Neo Suo Chun (#15)

ACJC Roster
Tan Tiak JU (#4), You Ze Chen (#5), Ryan Koh(#6), Devin Nathanael (#7), Dennis Fan (#8), Loke Yong Lum(#9), Jordan Wong (#10), Jess Teo (#11), Jeremy Sim (#12), Peerathach (#13), Anthony Lee (#14), Harvin Irawan (#15)

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