New Balance University Basketball League 2025: Round Three Wrap-Up 

Round Three of the 2025 New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) proved to be another action-packed week, featuring dominant displays, high-scoring battles, and standout performances throughout sixteen games across four states.  

Round Three began with the Curtin Carnaby’s (Curtin University) hosting La Trobe University at Curtin Stadium. The women started off with a thriller, as Curtain first took the lead before La Trobe moved ahead in the second quarter and kept the home team chasing, as La Trobe player Kayla Vitale (Bachelor of Psychology with Honours) lit up the second term to put up six three-pointers to swing the momentum. The score evened out to 70-all in the fourth quarter, with the Curtin Carnabys battling it out to the end but their buzzer-beater attempt hit the backboard, giving La Trobe the victory 74-72. The men’s matchup was also an action-packed game as the two teams stayed level for most of it, but it was the home team who began to edge ahead, building a slim lead only for the visitors to have a comeback in the fourth quarter and even the score 80-all. In the end, it was the Curtin Carnabys who held their nerve, claiming a narrow 95-93 victory. Last season’s MVP Lachlan Bertram (Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Curtin University) put on a show for the home crowd, scoring 55 points in one of the most remarkable individual performances in UBL history.  

The following match saw The University of Newcastle take on USYD (University of Sydney) at The Forum Sports & Aquatic Centre, in Newcastle. The men kicked things off in a fast-paced contest with Newcastle showing plenty of fight on their home court, but USYD ultimately prevailed to claim a ten-point victory, winning 93-83. The women’s game saw USYD establish dominance from the start, powering their way to a commanding 81-49 win.

Day two was jam-packed, starting with the UWA Maali (The University of Western Australia) hosting La Trobe at the UWA Sport and Recreation Centre. La Trobe’s women’s team continued their strong start to the 2025 UBL season with a convincing 82–60 win over the UWA Maali, controlling the game early on and showcasing their depth to secure another key victory on the road. For the men, it was another fast-paced, high-intensity clash. Both sides were strong from the opening minute, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout the game as the home side had a narrow lead at half time. Despite the UWA Maali’s strong start and home-court determination, La Trobe held their composure in the closing stages, securing a hard-fought 94-87 victory.

Next, at Victoria University Community Sports Stadium, Victoria University hosted the University of Tasmania. First up were the women, where the visitors controlled the game from start to finish, showcasing their defensive pressure and balanced scoring to record a comfortable 65-39 win. The men’s match was a high-scoring contest that saw the away side look in control early, taking a commanding 59-43 lead into half time, but the momentum shifted after the break, as Victoria University came storming back in the third quarter to slash the deficit to just two points. What followed was an exciting final term in a high-scoring shootout, but despite the late surge from the hosts, the visitors held their nerve to close out a 101-97 victory.

Over at The Forum Sports & Aquatic Centre in Newcastle, The University of Newcastle played their second match of the week, taking on The University of Melbourne. Up first were the women, where history was made as The University of Newcastle women’s team secured their first ever win in the New Balance UBL. The UBL debutants stunned The University of Melbourne with a late comeback, overturning the deficit in the final minutes to secure a 79-74 victory. The men’s game was a high-scoring matchup, as roared on by their home crowd, Newcastle delivered a powerful offensive performance, pulling away early and never looking back, going on to win 115-78 to celebrate their first victory at home.

The last matches for day two saw the Fed Falcons (Federation University) host the AU Waatu (The University of Adelaide) at Fed Sport & Recreation Centre, Ballarat. The men kicked things off, where the AU Waatu showcased their offensive strength from the outset, pushing the tempo and controlling the contest to secure their first away victory of the 2025 season, winning 107-70. In the women’s game, the AU Waatu matched their men’s side by securing their first away victory this season, defeating the Fed Falcons 61-52 after pulling away in the second half.

Day three started with the University of Tasmania taking on the UniSC Mari (University of the Sunshine Coast) at the Hobart Netball & Sports Centre. The UTAS women made a statement in their first home game of the 2025 UBL season, defeating the UniSC Mari 98-57 and displaying their offensive force and dominance on both ends of the court during the game. The UTAS men celebrated their first home game of the season in style as well, beating the UniSC Mari 104-62 and putting on a leading display, securing their third straight victory.

The final game for Round Three was between USYD (The University of Sydney) and UNSW Sydney at the USYD Sports and Aquatic Centre. The USYD women’s team continued their dominant run, claiming a 62-56 win over their rivals, as the reigning champions were pushed all the way in this tight match but held their nerve. In the men’s game, USYD set the pace from the start, keeping their opponents chasing and sealing an 81-66 win at home.

At the end of Round Three of the 2025 New Balance UBL, La Trobe University have fought their way to the top of the ladder for both the men and women’s divisions. La Trobe’s women’s team remain undefeated, whilst the men only have one loss. UTAS are second on the ladder for the men, and for the women, USYD sit in second place whilst also being undefeated, having only played three games so far whilst La Trobe have played four.

Round Four promises another thrilling week on the court, as teams are ready to deliver big performances and keep the competition intensity rising as we get closer to the halfway point.

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(C) All photographs courtesy of Curtin University, The University of Western Australia, and the University of Tasmania and may not be used without the express permission of either university or UniSport Australia.