Shih Hsin University needed every point and rebound it could get from Jack Animam to keep their pristine record intact.
Unlike their first four games in the second round of the University Basketball Alliance, the defending champions needed an escape act to defeat National Taiwan Normal University, 64-59, Sunday at Taipei Stadium.
Animam played her best game in her 14 games so far with the Tigers, tallying 27 points on 12-of-16 shooting with 22 rebounds. The 6-foot-2 National University product also had four steals and three blocks to her name.
But unlike their 68-50 win over the same team last January 21, SHU needed to make a big shot to buck NTNU.
Holding on to a 62-57 lead with 46.7 ticks left, Animam was able to draw a double team inside the paint. She then found Lin Die, who coolly drained a jumper for the dagger.
Lin was the other Tiger in double-figures with 15 points, alongside with eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
It was an uncharacteristic outing for SHU.
Previously averaging 30.1-percent from deep, the team went just 2-of-17 from distance in this contest. Moreover, SHU gave up 18 free throws in the contest.
Veteran Xu Tingyu and junior Wu Mingzhen led NTNU’s gallant stand, finishing with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Animam and SHU close out their second round campaign on Monday against Chinese Culture University (5-0).
