New Balance University Basketball League: Round Three Wrap-Up 

Round Three brought another mix of close contests, high-scoring performances and late-game drama as the 2026 New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) had its third week of competition.  

Fourteen games took place across three states, with teams continuing to establish themselves on the ladder as the season progresses. Several games were decided by less than 10 points, while a few teams broke the 100-point mark across the round. 

Round Three began at Moonah Sports Centre in Tasmania, with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) taking on the VU Vultures (Victoria University). VU claimed the men’s game 84-93 to defeat the defending champions and cause their first loss for 2026, while UTAS responded in the women’s contest with a 73-67 victory to split the results. 

In Sydney, UNSW Sydney faced the Curtin Carnabys (Curtin University) at the City of Sydney Basketball Association. Curtin secured the men’s game 87-99 before the women followed with a dominant 42-111 victory in a high-scoring contest to complete the double. 

The USYD Sports and Aquatic Centre hosted a closely fought battle between The University of Sydney (USYD) and the AU Waatu (Adelaide University). The women’s contest was tight, with USYD holding on for a 62-59 victory after Adelaide fought back strongly from a slow opening quarter. The game was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm, but AU continued to apply pressure after play resumed, only to fall just short in the closing stages. In the men’s game, Adelaide had a 17-point lead with five minutes remaining before USYD launched a late comeback, but AU held a 90-93 win as the teams’ exchanged baskets in the final moments. 

At the Nona Lee Sports Centre in Victoria, The University of Melbourne took on the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The women’s game went down to the final stages, with UTS leading in the fourth quarter before Melbourne fought back to secure a 68-64 victory. UTS then claimed its first men’s win since returning to the UBL, defeating Melbourne 72-88. 

The Fed Falcons (Federation University) hosted the UniSC Mari (University of the Sunshine Coast) at the Fed Sport and Recreation Centre. The women’s contest was a tight affair, with UniSC holding on for a 70-75 victory before the men’s side broke the 100-point mark in a strong 76-111 win. 

Day two action started at Maitland Basketball, where the University of Newcastle faced the Curtin Carnabys. Newcastle produced a strong performance in the women’s competition, running out 105-63 winners, before securing a 78-58 victory in the men’s contest to extend their unbeaten run this season. 

Round Three then closed at Monash University’s Clayton Campus, where Monash played their first UBL home games against La Trobe University. The men’s side produced a convincing 84-54 win over La Trobe to secure their first UBL win, while the women’s game was a much closer affair, with Monash falling just short 74-79. Monash also brought plenty of energy off the court, with Monash Cheer and Dance performing between games to add to the atmosphere at their home fixture. 

After Round Three of the 2026 UBL season, the University of Newcastle still sits atop the overall men’s leaderboard, with USYD moving into second. UTAS leads in the South West Conference, and the University of Newcastle leads the North East. 

In the women’s competition, USYD remains on top overall, followed by The University of Melbourne who jumped into second. USYD leads the North East Conference, and Melbourne the South West. 

With three rounds completed, the 2026 UBL is gathering pace, with Round Four set to bring another action-packed week featuring 20 games across the competition. 

Catch all the action live and free on  UniSportTV.    

Follow the UBL on Instagram to stay up to date on all the action and subscribe to the UniSport Australia YouTube channel to catch every highlight. 

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