OCBC Arena, Singapore – The Westports Malaysia Dragons employed a stinging defense from the get go that limited the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers offense the whole game and came out victorious 65-57. Moala Tautuaa starred for the visiting Dragons with 21 points and also grabbed 9 rebounds.
Hassan Adams and Han Bin Ng each scored 12 points for the Slingers, while Kyle Jeffers had a double double with 11 points and 25 rebounds.
Al Vergara opened up the scoring chores for the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers before the Dragons went on a 9-2 run scoring run. Justin Knox dominated inside early on, scoring 8 points in the 1st quarter. He finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
The Westports Malaysia Dragons, coming off a loss against Hi-Tech Bangkok City, was able to limit the Slingers to make 20 of 77 shots from the field, and also forcing them to make 12 turnovers. Al Vergara was limited to 4 points, while Wei Long finished with 3 points.
The Slingers’ big men also failed to protect the paint as the Dragons scored 44 points in the shaded lane.
It looked like the Slingers were finally able to get their engine running when they tied the game at 29-all courtesy of baskets from Adams and Jeffers at the opening of the 3rd quarter. The Dragons, however, quickly countered with an 8-0 run of their own lead by Loh Shee Fai’s layup and 3 pointer.
In the fourth quarter, Moala Tautuaa single handedly carried the Dragons, scoring 11 of his game-high 21 points. The Slingers, who struggled all game long, were unable to come back from the deficit.
The JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers will travel to Thailand to take on the Hi-Tech Bangkok City on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. Their next home game at the newly opened OCBC Arena is on Sunday, August 3, against the visiting Saigon Heat.
Box Scores:
JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers 57 – Adams 12, Han Bin 12, Jeffers 11, Larry 8, Desmond 4, Vergara 4, Wei Long 3, Delvin 2, Russel 0.
Westports Malaysia Dragons 65 – Tautuaa 21, Knox 15, Eversley 11, Shee Fai 10, Ban Sin 4, Tong 2, Ng 2, McCarthy 0, Kwaan 0, Yim 0, Kuek 0, Wong 0.
Quarter Scores: 16-19, 25-29, 39-44, 57-65.
