Nanyang Technological University, Friday, 9 January 2009 - Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) kept their hopes of reaching the IVP women’s basketball semi-finals alive as they came from behind to beat Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) 39-31 in a Group A match on Friday evening.

In a low-scoring affair with numerous missed baskets and turnovers from both teams, the third quarter decisively separated the teams when NYP discovered their shooting touch to outscore their opponents 18-6 after trailing 16-18 at half-time.

Leading the scoring charts for the victors were Ong Yenling and Yeo Shiying with nine and eight points respectively.

They never relinquished their advantage when they settled on safety first and restricting their opponents into more unforced errors in the final 10 minutes of play.

SIM supporter Quek Weiliang was disappointed with his side’s performance and thought their carelessness ultimately cost them the match.

He lamented: “SIM committed many turnovers tonight as their passing was not very good. Meanwhile NYP prevailed with their stronger teamwork than ours.”

With two wins out of three matches played, NYP coach Toh Linsin was pleased at the depth of her bench that contributed to the points earned ahead of their final group clash with National University of Singapore.

She noted: “Our players are rather even, ability-wise. The endurance part was pivotal today as we kept pressing them even as we were chasing them, knowing that SMU only had a few good players who can really play."

“Age wise we are younger compared to our opponents so we put in more emphasis on the defence. While some of the girls are also not physically as mature compared to the SIM adults, we had to be faster and quicker in our play.”

“Thus we kept pushing them to the limit throughout the match, and when those who played got tired, we were able to send in players of similar ability to keep up the momentum."

She also singled out Yeo for her commanding performance that paved the way towards victory, but also highlighted an area her best player could work on.

“Yeo Shiying made the difference for our team as she came out to prove a point after her disappointing performance in the last match."

“She lifted the morale of the team by contributing significantly in defence and attack. However she constantly fell into foul trouble, so it was fortunate we have enough players to stand in for her so that she would not be fouled out.”