Photo Credit – Adelaide University
3-Minute Read
Women
The Waatu Women were up first picking up where they left off from last season with a strongly compiled win over the UWA Maali 83-61 at the new look Pridham Hall.
Bursting out of the blocks through the hot hand of Caitlin Shillabeer (15 points in the opening term for the Physiotherapist) – the home side opened up a gap through the strong play of Jemima Whitton (Viticulture and Oenology) and newcomers Norwood Flames Ella Turnbull (Human Movement) and incoming guard from UNISC transferring back to Adelaide Terran Wright. Whitton pinched one off her unsuspecting opponent to finish before Turnbull (Eight points) beat the buzzer to see the Pridham Hall erupt with applause at 38-22 after one.
UWA star Abbey Hall (16 points and five rebounds for the Doctor of Medicine) found the cure to the Maali’s scoring woes to even up proceedings and along with Nicola Moore (10 points and five rebounds for the Sport and Exercises Sciences) tried to guide the away side back into the contest at 46-32. The Waatu however answered again through Shillabeer and another newcomer in Janna Mojares (12 points, fours steals and rebounds) with the occupational therapist setting the lead back to 52-38 at the half.
Shillabeer got moving again in the third term as the Waatu extended their lead to a 69-49 margin and didn’t look headed. Wright (13 points and six rebounds) continued to make the good choices in transition and Jemima decanted her way to a fine set of numbers helping the Waatu taste their first victory of the season.
Shillabeer set it up from the start with 23 points with four triples with Whitton contributing 14 points, four rebounds and steals.
Men
The Waatu Men also got off to a flyer in 2026 with their own strong showing in the new colours 98-83 impressing the crowd of new attendees.
Lachlan Oakley (15 points for the Psychologist) of UWA had the minds of the Waatu scrambling early early draining some big early triples but a tight opening term was almost tied at the quarter time break thanks to Isaac Hampel (Electrical Engineering) with the sparkling impact on the floor 23-24.
The takeover kept coming in the second stanza with Hampel, Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) and newcomer Malang Deng (16 points, six rebounds and two blocks) with the podiatry student stepping up in his first outing. Garang reminding everyone about his ability above the rim again with a huge block followed by athletic finishes to build the Waatu a lead of 49-37 at halftime.
Keegan Schrick (27 points and 10 rebounds) the star of the UWA had been kept quiet due to foul trouble to the halftime break but started to find his spaces and places again as the commerce student began to deal the business midway through the third term. Hampel however continued to see some big plays engineer for the home side exciting the crowd with his decision making and precision in play to keep his side in front 70-58.
In an enthralling battle with other gun guard in the precise play of science student Damian Zhang (13 points, six rebounds and three assists) – the Waatu polished off their performance with some late work from Deng and Garang to wrap up a dominant first day in the new colours, venue and era for the Waatu.
Hampel had one of his career best afternoons of 30 points, five assists, four rebounds and steals along with partner in crime Garang from last season with 29 points and six rebounds.
The Waatu Women and Men next take on UTAS today in an impossible mission to bring down the champions of UBL 2025 – Wednesday 19 August
Women – AU Waatu 83 (Shillabeer 23, Whitton 14, Wright 13, Mojares 12, Turnbull 8) defeated UWA Maali 61 (Hall 16, Moore 10, Eames 9, Conradt 8)
Men – AU Waatu 98 (Hampel 30, Garang 29, Deng 16, Crosby 13, Thomson 9) defeated UWA Maali 83 (Schrick 27, Oakley 15, Zhang 13, Maddison 10)
Catch all the action against UTAS from this Wednesday 19 August on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.
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