On Wednesday 10 May, the Carnabys welcomed rivals UWA Maali for the final round of the regular UBL 2023 season. It was a rich atmosphere with a number of special guests who came to support their favourite team and enjoy the event. Keep reading to find out who won the trophy at the end of the night.
Men’s
After experiencing a devastating one-point loss last week, the Curtin Carnabys men’s side was sitting 11th on the UBL men’s ladder. While a win against UWA Maali would bump the Carnabys up to 10th place (and give them bragging rights against their Western rivals), they, unfortunately, weren’t going to make finals this season.
In the first quarter, the Carnabys felt the pressure from UWA, who maintained strong defence throughout the first term and rarely missed their shots.
As the Carnabys started to find their feet halfway through the first term, they executed some key plays. Jericho Lucio (#3) was able to swiftly get inside the key despite the opposition’s pressure. Husam Roamer (#9) and Zac Harris (#21) also combined well to sink some baskets.
As the quarter ended, Tobey Martin (#11) got a triple entrée of free throws after being fouled during a three-pointer attempt. Sinking all three, he brought the margin down to single digits. At quarter time, the Carnabys were down by six.
The second quarter saw the Carnabys match UWA’s efforts, although the opposition wouldn’t take its foot off the accelerator. Whenever the Carnabys had a solid run to shrink the margin, UWA would make a counterattack.
Early in the third quarter, the opposition had a defensive breakdown which allowed Carnaby Tim Hollick (#7) to dish to Tobey Martin, who got it in for two. Hollick totalled 21 points and 10 rebounds in the RMIT game and has been a strong asset to the Carnabys from the get-go.
Unfortunately for the home team, UWA had stretched out the margin to up to 20 points in the third term. The Carnabys were able to reduce this by rallying as a team and facilitating three-point wonder Tobey Martin to do what he does best.
The Carnabys entered the final quarter trailing 15 points, so they had their work cut out as UWA had its heart set on that fifth spot on the UBL ladder. As it turned out, the Carnabys just couldn’t gain control of the game in the final term, which allowed UWA to stretch the margin to 34 points. UWA Maali was victorious and won 99 – 65.
The top scorer in this game was Tobey Martin, with 30 points. Martin also maintained a top-five spot on the UBL stats ladder this season for total three points made.
Overall, the Carnabys men’s side had its ups and downs during this rivalry game, and while their ups weren’t to be glazed over, the Carnabys just didn’t have the same impact as their Western rivals.
Women’s
The Carnabys women’s side was sitting 8th on the ladder prior to the game against local rivals UWA Maali. There was a lot at stake in this game as the winner would make it through to finals.
The Carnabys were missing Shenae Hartree (#30) and Captain Sarah Allen, who have both been strong forces on the court this season.
UWA had an explosive start to the game by firing up the scoreboard and taking control from early on. While Curtin student Jemma Gartrell (#6) managed to sink a big three-point bucket, the Carnabys missed some of their shots and struggled to execute their plays. As the first period closed, UWA led by 12 points.
In the second term, Carnabys skipper Ella Thornton-Elliot (#20) got her first three of the game, which brought the margin down to eight. Unfortunately, some mishandling of the ball by the Carnabys took the margin back to double digits as UWA hustled from inside.
As the second half approached, UWA was leading by 14 points at 43 – 29. The Carnabys had a lot of work to do if they wanted to make it to finals.
Aleka Kabugua (#8) graced the third quarter with a three-pointer from the side of the arc and followed it up with another two points. Kabugua has been an important asset to the Carnabys, totalling 30 points and 13 rebounds in her last game against AU Waatu.
Despite the Carnabys really starting to press in the second half, UWA rarely took its foot off the accelerator. UWA also looked better on paper with assists, rebounds, points from turnovers and second-chance points, all favouring the opposition.
Before the buzzer sounded, Medical Radiation Science student Indianna Weeden (#10) took her chance from a long range which earned the Carnabys another three points. Fifty-five to 40 was the score at the turn of the fourth quarter.
Following suit, Weeden got the final term started with a strong drive across the court to follow through with a layup for two. The five-foot-seven-point guard also sunk a final three for the Carnabys, but UWA already had an aggressive advantage and finished with a 30-point lead. The final score was 83 – 53.
While a fairly low-scoring game for the Carnabys, top scores were shared by Ella Thornton-Elliot with 12 points, Ella Averill (#32) with 11, Aleka Kabugua with nine and Indianna Weeden with eight.
The Carnabys women’s side lacked the consistency and power brought to previous games this season. That, coupled with the UWA’s ability to keep the defensive pressure on and translate their plays onto the scoreboard, explained the opposition’s large-margin win.
While the Curtin Carnabys didn’t win the trophy as hoped, it was a spectacular event, and we look forward to the UBL 2024 season.
All image credits: totalsportsphotography.
