Story by REDintern Lim De Jun. Photos by Clara Yuan and Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports

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Bryan Gregory Kor (SIM #11) controls the ball against NUS. Kor scored a game-high 26 points to lead his team. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Friday, January 22, 2016 — Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)_ secured a place in the final after defeating National University of Singapore 81-78 in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.

Bryan Gregory Kor (SIM #11) led his team with a game-high of 26 points while Au Jin Kai (NUS #4) had a team-high of 22 points, including three 3-pointers.

An intense start saw both teams scoring 3-pointers as they kept each other in sight. SIM constantly drew fouls from NUS, giving themselves free throw opportunities.

As the game progressed, NUS played at a slower pace to dictate the pace and slowly pushed back SIM’s defense and they trailed by four points (35-39) at half time.

NUS had their best quarter in the third when they caught up with and outscored SIM 28-19. The quarter was also highlighted by a Lim Shengyu (NUS #12) dunk that made the crowd go crazy as NUS took a 63-58 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, SIM caught NUS and both teams found themselves at 75-75 with three minutes to spare. SIM were able to pull away as they drew fouls from NUS to free throws and eventually wrap up the 81-78 win.

SIM captain, Richard Neo (#7), said, “We were hungry for the win as we were complacent during the SUniG (Singapore University Games) season. We managed to play all out today. Our team did really well, be it offense or defense.

“NUS on the other hand played well too. We intended them to take more of inside shots instead of taking outside shots and they shot well too.

“As for the finals (against Temasek Poly), it would be a 50-50 game. It sure is going to be tough as we are playing with young people and they run with energy,” added Richard.

Scoring By Quarter
SIM vs NUS
1st Q:18-17
2nd Q:21-18 (39-35)
3rd Q:19-28 (58-63)
4th Q:23-16 (81-78)

Top Scorers
SIM
Bryan Gregory Kor (#11) – 26 points
Koa Wei Quan (#16) – 19 points
Goh Zhong Jun, Adam – 13 points (3 x 3-pointer)

NUS
Au Jin Kai (#4) – 22 points
Lim Sheng Yu (#12) – 19 points

SIM Roster
Darren Lee Da Lun (#2), Zhou Zhen Jie (#3), Neo Li Zhe, Richard (#7), Goh Zhong Jun, Adam (#9), Siow Wei Chong (#10), Bryan Gregory Kor (#11), Koa Wei Quan (#16), Wong Kar Chuin Jason (#17), Ng Zhao Feng (#19), Ow Yu Jie (#21), Sih Yong Jie (#27), Brian Cai Jue Guang (#92).

NUS Roster
Au Jin Kai (#4), Goh Kong Tat (#5), Lester Ng (#6), Rolu Monilla Oyekanmi (#9), Chan Wai Hon (#10), Lee Weng Fatt, Jeremy (#11), Lim Sheng Yu (#12), Chan Ming Rong, Clement (#13), Hong Kah Qi (#18), Thomas Chua Peng Kuang (#21), Ng Yao Zhong (#30), Tan Zheng Zhi (#32).

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