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

The New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) is officially back, and if round one is anything to go by, we’re in for a fantastic season five. ​ 

Round One of the 2025 UBL season delivered a slam dunk of excitement and upsets, with 14 games lighting up courts across three states. 

The season opened with a historic clash as the AU Waatu (The University of Adelaide) took on UBL debutants The University of Newcastle at South Australia’s State Basketball Centre. In the women’s match-up, the AU Waatu showed their strength in a dominant display with an 83-52 win. The tables were turned in the men’s game, as The University of Newcastle walked away with a win in their UBL debut, winning 97-78 and proving themselves to be a team to watch this season.

The following match-up saw the Curtin Carnabys (Curtin University) host the Fed Falcons (Federation University Australia) at Curtin Stadium in Western Australia, where in the men’s game, the Fed Falcons came away victorious with an 87-79 win, upsetting the home team after the Curtin Carnabys were leading 38-37 at half time. The women’s team also pulled off a big upset, as the Fed Falcons won 79-69 in their clash.  

To kickstart an action-packed day two, the AU Waatu hosted UniSC Mari (University of the Sunshine Coast). The women’s game saw UniSC Mari pull away in the second quarter and go on to seal a 66-55 win. In a nail-biting men’s game that featured multiple lead changes and a 39-all score at half time, the home team AU Waatu secured an 88-80 win in a game that stayed within reach for both teams throughout.  

The next game saw the UWA Maali (The University of Western Australia) take on the Fed Falcons at the University of Western Australia’s Sport and Recreation Centre. In a gripping men’s game that saw the away-side leading with less than 2 minutes to go, the UWA Maali got ahead and held on for a thrilling 70-65 comeback win. In the women’s match-up, the first three quarters were close, but the Fed Falcons pulled away towards the end of the third quarter, closing out a commanding a 73-58 win against the home team.  

Over at La Trobe Sports Stadium in Victoria, La Trobe University took on UTAS (University of Tasmania). In a closely contested match-up between the men, La Trobe University (2024 men’s champions) secured a hard-earned 69–65 victory. The women’s game proved just as competitive, with the home side narrowly defeating the visitors 72-69 to complete the clean sweep on the home court.  

The final matches for day two took place at Nona Lee Sports Centre in Victoria, as The University of Melbourne went up against Victoria University in a battle of the Melbourne-based teams. The men’s game saw Melbourne lead all four quarters and go on to win 94-87. The women’s game was tightly contested with the teams locked at 28-all at half time, 39-all at the third break and in the deciding fourth quarter, it was Melbourne who came away victorious, winning 67-56. 

The last two games for UBL week one was between fierce league rivals the Curtin Carnabys and the UWA Maali, as bragging rights were on the line for the Perth vs Perth showdown. In a closely fought opener, the women’s sides were locked at a 32-33 half time score that saw UWA Maali just in front. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Curtin Carnabys had a slight 49-47 lead, maintaining this momentum and securing a 69-57 win. In the men’s game, it was another competitive match-up, as the UWA Maali led going into half time 52-49, and pushed on for a 93-83 victory, solidifying a win for each of the Perth-based teams.  

At the end of UBL Round One, topping the leaderboard in the men’s division are the UWA Maali (7^th in 2024), followed by The University of Newcastle in their debut season. In the women’s division, the Fed Falcons (10^th in 2024) are on top with UniSC Mari (12^th in 2024) sitting behind in second. It’s an early shake-up to the competition, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.  

Looking ahead at round two, it will be another action-packed week as UNSW Sydney and USYD (University of Sydney) (2024 women’s champions) will play their first matches.  

Catch all the action live and free on UniSportTV.

(C) All photographs courtesy of The University of Melbourne and Curtain University and may not be used without the express permission of either university or UniSport Australia