In their second home game of the week, the Curtin Carnabys played against the University of Melbourne (UniMelb) on Wednesday 29 March. Following suit from the Tuesday game, the Curtin Stadium attracted hundreds of people who filled the seats to support their team.
Women’s
The Carnabys women’s team celebrated its first victory of the 2023 UBL season! The Carnabys had a firing start to the game with a significant influence being Druvinka Fernando (#14) who, not only possesses strong defensive skills but proved to have a good eye for sinking baskets.
The second quarter was the highest-scoring term for the Carnabys with 26 points accumulated by the likes of Shenae Hartree (#26), Ella Thornton-Elliot (#20), Jemma Gartrell (#6), and Sharita Miranda (#18). At the end of the first half, the scoreboard read 42-26, favouring the Carnabys.
As the Carnabys entered the third quarter, UniMelb attempted a comeback and reduced the deficit to seven roughly halfway through. Fortunately, our home team stayed in command and secured 23 more points on the board.
While UniMelb added another 14 points to its side of the scoreboard in the final quarter, it wasn’t near enough to catch up to the almighty Carnabys. The final score was 85-61.
The leading scorers during the game were Hartree who tallied up a sensational 28 points for the Carnabys, followed by Eloise Farrington (#16) who had 17 points to her name.
The Carnabys women’s team performed impeccably and ensured it led in every quarter. In terms of rebounds, possessions, and points, the Carnabys reigned supreme from the outset and throughout.
Men’s
After victory in the La Trobe game, the Carnabys men’s side went up against UniMelb who have been on an undefeated streak this season. Unfortunately, the Carnabys couldn’t replicate their win and lost by just 3 points to UniMelb.
Unlike some of their recent games, the Carnabys didn’t have a strong start against UniMelb who kept up its defence and was able to sink more baskets in the first half.
The Carnabys were looking a little better in the second quarter but still lacked the focus and accuracy they needed to catch up to UniMelb who dominated gameplay.
The Carnabys came off their half-time break with a new court presence. UniMelb was up 23 points, but the Carnabys were determined to reduce this. The home team tightened up its plays and managed to outscore UniMelb in the third quarter with the deficit down to 10 points.
To say the final quarter of the match was outstanding would be an understatement. The Carnabys made a sensational comeback with the entire team playing their part. Tobey Martin (#11) scored a 3-pointer which bumped the Carnabys up to just one point behind UniMelb, rattling the away team.
With 45 seconds on the clock, UniMelb scored and sunk another 3-pointer, but Lowe made sure to even the playing field with one of his own and the crowd went wild. Other last-minute points came from Martin who unfortunately missed a shot from behind the arc which could have brought the game to a draw. UniMelb held on and made sure to keep its points up to avoid a loss. The final score was 82-79 (UniMelb).
During the match, Husam Roamer (#9), Captain Dylan Griechen (#15), and Zac Harris (#21) played important support roles. Key scorers were Dyson Lowe (#31) with 28 points, Ali Rammal (#29) with 24 points, and Tobey Martin with 19 points.
Despite the slow start, the Carnabys men’s side played the second half with determination and heart. Regardless of the loss, the Carnabys played like winners.
