UWA Maali fought valiantly against the formidable University of Tasmania (UTAS) on Tuesday 16 April 2024 in front of a home crowd.
The UWA Maali team were battling the top team in the league for the first time in their fourth New Balance University Basketball League season. This time, there was no fairy-tale ending for UWA at home, with both teams falling short to the experienced side of UTAS.
University of Tasmania put on a clinical display for 60 minutes of the game to defeat UWA Maali, overcoming both the women’s and men’s team at the UWA Fitness and Recreation Centre on Tuesday afternoon.
The women's team started slow against UTAS but were able to find momentum in the attack end with Jess Taylor and Keisha Chng being strong pillars in the game. UWA Maali were able to bridge the gap in the first quarter to trail UTAS by 7 points. The second quarter saw the visitors flourish over the home team, with UTAS scoring 17 points against UWA Maali's 7 in the second stanza alone. After regrouping in the half time break, UWA Maali came back with a point to prove, significantly improving attacking and defensive structures to keep on par with UTAS 13-15. UWA Maali star Jenna Teasdale displayed strong defence on court to slow down the hot hands of Zoe Banks and Leah Bartlett. Unfortunately, UTAS lifted to a new level in the fourth quarter to take the win over UWA Maali, beating the home team 63-37.
It was a similar affair in the men’s game with UWA Maali plagued by a slow start, leaving the side trailing the competition leaders by 4 points at the end of the first quarter (10-14). A big second quarter for both teams saw each side scoring a high volume of points as they each put on a show in the attack end, with the Maali’s efforts led by sharpshooter and playmaker Kyiah O'Donohue. The king of the court was able to kick into fifth gear and help his side score 22 points in the second quarter. The third quarter was a low-scoring affair as fatigue set in, with both teams reaching a lull in the game. The strong defensive pressure applied by the undefeated UTAS team, particularly Alexander Bestwick and Izach Collins, made it difficult for the home team to get the lead at the end of the quarter.
Determined to close the gap, UWA Maali Men’s Head Coach had stern words with his talented side, urging his players to work together to overcome the rival team. The freshly inspired team were able to fly high in the fourth quarter, winning the quarter 26-23 with a phenomenal run at the end of the game. Key players that assisted with the comeback included Joe Harwood, Ben Thorp and Kyiah O'Donohue. The attacking drives and lay-ups from Harwood shifted the momentum of the game into the hands of UWA Maali. Tempers flared late in the game with UTAS collectively put on a warning for umpire scrutiny. As tension continued to mount, UWA Maali rose to the challenge but were unable to peg the lead set by UTAS earlier in the game, resulting in a loss to UTAS 73-80 at the final whistle.
"Well done to UTAS, they've earned their spot up the top end of the ladder. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get it done down the stretch of the game. We are on a road to becoming our best and we still have a way to go."
UWA Maali Men's Head Coach, Jackson Mews
A great display of basketball from both UWA Maali teams in Week 5 of the New Balance University Basketball League. Next up, UWA Maali will be on the road for a double header fixture against Australian Catholic University and La Trobe University in Melbourne, Victoria.
Catch UWA Maali flying high in the derby pride round against Curtin University at home on Tuesday 30 April 2024. For more information on the UBL competition, visit UniSport and watch replays on UniSport TV.