NCCU Holds Off Etugen University to Reach Championship Game

August 23 — The semifinals of the inaugural Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) tipped off with National Chengchi University (NCCU) facing Etugen University. NCCU jumped out to an 18-point lead in the second quarter, but Etugen stormed back and even grabbed the lead in the fourth. The two sides traded baskets until the closing minutes, when NCCU steadied themselves to secure a 96–87 victory and punch the first ticket to the final.
Quarter scores: 27–16, 21–23, 21–24, 27–24 (NCCU listed first).

Box Score Standouts

NCCU (National Chengchi University):

• Sung Hsin Hao – 24 points, 6 assists
• Wang Wei Jia – 16 points
• Wu Zhi Kai – 14 points, 5 rebounds
• Lin Tzu Hao – 12 points
• Hsu Te Chi – 10 points, 8 assists

Etugen University:

• Tushig Elbeg – 24 points, 5 rebounds
• Usukhbayar Otgonbayar – 18 points, 8 rebounds
• Binderiya Sandagdorj – 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
• Barsbold Baatar-Erdene – 15 points, 7 rebounds

Game Recap

NCCU reached the semis by blowing out Shanghai Jiao Tong University 102–58, while Etugen advanced with a 93–87 comeback over Yonsei.

• First Quarter: Fu Zhong Yao’s layup and a Sung Hsin Hao three put NCCU ahead 5–0. Etugen went nearly two minutes before scoring, finally getting free throws from Barsbold. NCCU’s attack was relentless, with Sung scoring inside and out for 5 straight points to cap an 11–4 run. Barsbold added more free throws, and Boubacar Mboup came off the bench to finish inside. Etugen’s Tushig Elbeg answered with a three, but NCCU closed the quarter up 27–16.
• Second Quarter: Lin Tzu Hao and Mboup each converted three-point plays to extend the margin to 18. Etugen responded with drives from Sandagdorj and Munkhbaatar Sugar, but Sung answered at the rim. Barsbold and Tushig helped trim the deficit, though Wu Zhi Kai drew a foul on a three-point attempt (1-of-3 at the line). At halftime, NCCU led 48–39.
• Third Quarter: Etugen roared back, opening with a 6–0 run on baskets from Sandagdorj, Otgonbayar, and Tushig to pull within 3. NCCU answered with a 6–0 spurt of their own, then the game settled into back-and-forth scoring. Lin Tzu Hao strung together 4 quick points to restore a double-digit edge, but Otgonbayar’s free throws and Tushig’s mid-range jumper cut it back down. By the end of the period, NCCU led 69–63.
• Fourth Quarter: Sandagdorj scored on a drive and Barsbold hit two free throws to make it a one-possession game. Sung’s three stopped the bleeding, but Otgonbayar’s foul shots and Sandagdorj’s triple tied it at 72. Etugen briefly surged ahead with inside baskets, but NCCU countered with balanced scoring to retake the lead. With the score tight, Wang Wei Jia came off the bench hot, pouring in 8 straight points for an 87–82 cushion. A technical foul on Nyamtsogt Zorigt added to Etugen’s woes. Down the stretch, Tushig hit a jumper to keep them alive, but Wang and Wu sealed the game with free throws and a dagger three. Etugen lost multiple players to foul-outs, and NCCU closed out a hard-fought 96–87 win.

Starting Lineups

NCCU: Sung Hsin Hao, Wu Zhi Kai, Hsu Te Chi, Mouhamadou Moustapha Ndiaye, Fu Zhong Yao
Etugen University: Tushig Elbeg, Benderiya Sandagdorj, Barsbold Baatar-Erdene, Bat-Erdene Bayanmunkh, Odbayar Ganzorig

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