New Balance University Basketball League: Quarter Finals Wrap-Up

The 2025 New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) Quarter Finals delivered a thrilling mix of shock results, unexpected upsets and high-intensity action, as teams fought to keep their UBL Finals dreams alive. During the week, underdogs rose, favourites fell, and the road to the semi-finals heated up.

Women’s UBL Quarter Finals Results

The women’s UBL Quarter Finals kicked off at La Trobe Sports Stadium as La Trobe University took on The University of Melbourne, where the away team delivered a major shock to the home side. After remaining undefeated throughout the regular season, La Trobe’s finals campaign came to an unexpected end as The University of Melbourne played a very strong game, keeping them chasing to secure a stunning 99-62 victory in a remarkable quarter final upset.

Next up, The University of Tasmania hosted UNSW Sydney at the Hobart Netball & Sports Centre. The Tasmanian side proved too strong, powering to a 91-49 win and extending their dominant run this season. Having lost just one game so far, they continue to assert themselves as one of the competition’s most formidable sides.

Over at the USYD Sports and Aquatic Centre, defending champions USYD (The University of Sydney) and the AU Waatu (The University of Adelaide) were locked in a tight battle. Momentum shifted throughout the game, as the away side led into half time before USYD fought back in the third quarter to get ahead, holding on to win 79-71.

The last of the women’s quarter finals games took place at the UniSC Arena, as the UniSC Mari (University of the Sunshine Coast) played the Curtin Carnaby’s (Curtin University). Taking command early, the home team never looked back, keeping Curtin on the back foot throughout the game to secure an 82-61 win.

After four straight USYD vs La Trobe Grand Finals in the women’s New Balance UBL, a dynasty has ended and a new era begins, with the door now wide open for three teams chasing a first Grand Final appearance, as USYD, The University of Tasmania, UniSC Mari and The University of Melbourne advance to the semi’s.

In the women’s 2025 New Balance UBL Semi Final, The University of Tasmania will play USYD, and the UniSC Mari will go up against The University of Melbourne.

Men’s UBL Quarter Finals Results

The men’s UBL Quarter Finals began at the Hobart Netball & Sports Centre, as The University of Tasmania took on the AU Waatu. The Tasmanian side impressed on their home court, controlling the game with their pace and efficiency on both ends of the court to secure a 91-74 victory and continue their strong run. In 2023 and 2024, the men’s Tasmanian team lost to USYD in the quarter finals, with this win now marking their first semi finals appearance.

Next, The University of Melbourne hosted the UWA Maali (The University of Western Australia) at the Nona Lee Sports Centre, setting the tone early and using their defensive pressure and balanced scoring to claim an 89-70 win to advance.

Over at NUsport at The Forum, debutants The University of Newcastle played 2024 New Balance UBL champions La Trobe University. In a stunning quarter final result, the season newcomers claimed a 77-62 win over the defending champions. Newcastle kept the pressure on La Trobe throughout, leaving them chasing for most of the game and ending their finals campaign early. 

The last quarter finals game for the men was between USYD and UNSW Sydney at the USYD Sports and Aquatic Centre. In a hard-fought quarter final clash, 2024 New Balance UBL finalists USYD claimed an 82-66 win at home. The lead swung back and forth throughout the game, with the home side gaining momentum in the second half. Though UNSW Sydney kept the scoreline tight, a strong push in the fourth quarter allowed the winners to pull away and secure the victory.

At the end of the men’s 2025 New Balance UBL quarter finals, there are two teams chasing another shot at glory and two teams looking to make history, as USYD and The University of Melbourne return to the semi finals, and The University of Tasmania and The University of Newcastle make their semi’s debut.

In the men’s 2025 New Balance UBL Semi Final, The University of Melbourne will take on The University of Tasmania, and USYD will play The University of Newcastle.

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(C) All photographs courtesy of The University of Newcastle, The University of Tasmania, The University of Sydney, University of the Sunshine Coast and The University of Melbourne and may not be used without the express permission of either university or UniSport Australia.