New Balance University Basketball League: Round Two Wrap-Up

Round Two delivered another week of close contests and late-game drama as the 2026 New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) continued into its second week. 

With 18 games played across three days and four states, Round Two marked the return of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to the UBL court since 2024, while Curtin University and The University of Melbourne kicked off their 2026 campaigns. 

Round Two got underway at the Victoria University Community Sports Stadium, with the VU Vultures (Victoria University) welcoming UTS back to the league. In the women’s game, VU secured a 65-59 win, while the men followed with an 84-78 victory to complete the double. UTS showed plenty of promise in their return, with both sides pushing VU throughout their first games back. 

The day two action moved west to the UWA Sport and Recreation Centre, where the UWA Maali (The University of Western Australia) took on the Fed Falcons (Federation University). The men’s contest saw the Falcons come away with a 74-82 victory, while the women’s game went right down to the wire. UWA trailed 61-66 late in the game before a last-second three-pointer by Nicola Moore (Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences/Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology) narrowed the margin, but the Maali ultimately fell just short 64-66. 

Back in Victoria, VU continued their Round Two campaign against the University of Newcastle. The visitors secured wins in both competitions, taking the men’s game 59-68 before following it up with a 57-61 victory in the women’s contest. 

Over at Adelaide University’s Pridham Hall, the AU Waatu (Adelaide University) hosted the University of Tasmania (UTAS). Adelaide dominated the women’s contest from start to finish, running out 99-41 winners over the defending champions. The men’s game was a much tighter affair, with the AU Waatu leading 71-70 with just six seconds remaining before UTAS hit a last-second two-pointer to move ahead 71-72. A time adjustment gave Adelaide one final opportunity, but their successful late shot came after the buzzer, leaving them just one point short of the win. 

Back in WA at Curtin Stadium, the Curtin Carnabys (Curtin University) opened their 2026 campaign against The University of Melbourne. Melbourne secured wins in both contests, taking the men’s game 62-75 before backing it up with an 81-97 victory in the women’s game. 

The Curtin Stadium home crowd helped create an electric atmosphere across two days of action. More than 500 spectators came through the doors, with DJs, cheerleaders and other fan entertainment adding to the experience away from the court, as day three saw Curtin host their second match-up of the round. 

Curtin faced the Fed Falcons next, with the Carnaby’s men’s side putting on a dominant display to break the 100-point mark and claim a 107-61 victory. The Curtin women followed with an 82-63 win to complete the double. 

The action then continued at the UWA Sport and Recreation Centre, where the UWA Maali took on The University of Melbourne. The visitors came away with wins in both games, with Melbourne narrowly taking the women’s contest 60-62 in a two-point thriller before the men followed with a 64-82 victory. 

At La Trobe Sports Stadium, the home side faced the University of Newcastle. Newcastle secured wins in both contests, taking the men’s game 67-97 before narrowly edging La Trobe 82-87 in the women’s game. The five-point finish saw La Trobe pipped at the post, completing a strong round for Newcastle. 

Round Two closed with the UniSC Mari (University of the Sunshine Coast) marking Indigenous Round as they welcomed The University of Sydney (USYD) to the UniSC Arena in collaboration with the UniSC Buranga Centre. USYD came away with wins in both matchups, taking the women’s game 45-61 before completing the double with a 71-89 victory in the men’s game. 

After Round Two of the 2026 UBL season, the University of Newcastle has moved into top spot on the men’s leaderboard, with defending champions UTAS dropping to second. In the women’s competition, USYD remains at the top, while the AU Waatu have jumped into second place following another strong round. 

With plenty still to play out, Round Three is up next, as teams look to build momentum and improve their Round Two performances. 

Catch all the action live and free on  UniSportTV.   

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