Third week thrills as records tumble in UBL22

Posted 7th April 2022

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Image: Grant Treeby

The University of Sydney have proven they are the teams to beat in the women’s and men’s league, both teams capping off a successful first three weeks with a trip to Perth playing against the Curtin Uni Carnabys and UWA Maali and topping their respective ladders heading into week four of the league.

The Victorian locals The University of Melbourne and RMIT tipped the round off at the Nona Lee Sports Centre on Monday night with The University of Melbourne women breaking the drought to get their first win in the UBL 73-52.

The men’s game could not have been closer, with both teams neck and neck for the entire game until RMIT pulled ahead in the final quarter to beat The University of Melbourne 90-78.

RMIT backed up their games to face La Trobe University on Tuesday in what was known as the Battle of Bundoora. These fierce rivals set up two close matches with La Trobe University closing out both in style. The women won 70-59 and the men 85-82 (one of the highlights of the week).

In Western Australia, locals Curtin Uni Carnabys and UWA Maali faced the NSW teams on their home turf, attempting to take UTS and The University of Sydney off the top of the respective ladders.

In the women’s matches, Curtin Uni Carnabys’ Shenae Hartree #14 (Health Science) proved formidable in attack with 37 points, 21 rebounds and 7 assists across both games.

The University of Sydney comfortably won 101-57 to remain on top of the women’s ladder.

A first for the women’s league, the Curtin Uni Carnabys and UTS went into overtime at 65-65 following a brilliant 2 point equaliser from Sari Mowbray #3 (Bachelor of Health Science) in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. The UTS women prevailed 75-71.

The UTS men faced strong opposition at UWA Maali but managed to hold on to win 81-70. They were able to control their match against the Curtin Uni Carnabys with a comfortable 88-64 win. Alexander Higgins-Titsha #7 (Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management) was impressive with 34 points and 21 rebounds.

The University of Sydney men have been ruthless in their UBL campaign, showing their intent to top the ladder at the end of the season, winning 72-48 against UWA Maali and 108-82 against Curtin Uni Carnabys.

Image: Sports Imagery Australia

USC Spartans hosted their first games of the season at the USC Stadium in Queensland, welcoming newcomers AU Waatu and Fed Falcons. The USC Spartans men opened the double header with a heart-stopping finish against AU Waatu who were looking for their second win on the road. The USC Spartans finished ahead 76-75 with a stealthy attack preventing AU Waatu from closing the game out. The USC Spartans women followed up to mark the highest game score in the women’s competition this year, defeating AU Waatu 108-55.

The Fed Falcons were eager to match up against the USC Spartans on Wednesday, with the women’s game remaining close for three quarters before the USC Spartans edged ahead to win 69-44.

The USC Spartans men made it two wins from two this week dominating their match against Fed Falcons 109-62.

To finish the week was The University of Melbourne hosting La Trobe University with the travelling teams eager to get two wins on the road. Joel Rimes #12 (PHD Immunology) showed why he was one of the MVPs of the 2021 UBL, with a classy 17 points and 4 assists for The University of Melbourne.

However, La Trobe University were too good in the end for the home team, beating The University of Melbourne 91-70. The La Trobe University women showing their interest in the title this year, winning their fourth match in a row 65-45.

NEXT ROUND

Following some changes to the schedule, week four will see La Trobe University and RMIT travel to Adelaide for the first time in the UBL to take on AU Waatu on home soil.

RMIT will also head to WA to take on the Curtin Uni Carnabys, and Victoria University is back in action travelling to The University of Melbourne in what will be some highlights of the round.