UCL Men's Basketball beat King's 83-75 in what became a particularly heated match.
Taking our seats during the team warmups, it was clear spectators were ready for an exciting game. Amongst the wave of blue and purple were various handmade signs and blaring horns, signalling supporters' confidence in the team to bring home yet another Varsity victory.
The UCL team were certainly on the same page. Speaking to The Cheese Grater ahead of the match, captain Domas Vazgys declared they were "ready to dominate King's as usual" and excited to celebrate with friends after "we inevitably win".
A victory was especially important for the "final farewell" of graduating players, with Vazgys highlighting Roshan Muppalla, Isaac Denis, and Timothee Maurin as ones to look out for during the game.
First Quarter
The start of the match entailed a rapid back-and-forth between teams before KCL scored the first points of the game. However, Vazgys was quick to even the score, responding with an immediate two-pointer. KCL's number five then managed a three-pointer with Muppalla securing two for UCL shortly afterwards.
UCL took their first free throws of the game around a minute later, scoring both points. The players demonstrated their great defensive capabilities, blocking KCL from scoring before Will Worthy secured three points - bringing UCL to 9-7.
Their slight upper hand didn't last for long though, as King's levelled out the score to a 9-9. Subsequent free throws for UCL meant they were back two points above KCL but it was Worthy who cemented the lead with yet another three-pointer. It was from this moment he established himself as an additional player to monitor during the match.
With around three minutes left of the first quarter, King's scored both of their free throws alongside a three-pointer.
Marko Zdravkovic quickly silenced cheers from KCL supporters by retorting with one back. A timeout was called with a minute left, the score at 19-18.
King's kicked it back off with a missed free throw and then Sinan Sensurucu gained two points for UCL but unfortunately missed a free throw. Whilst the final seconds were approaching, KCL ramped up the pressure by gaining two, bringing the score to a close 21-20 by the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Evidently UCL needed to up the intensity if they wanted KCL off their tail, and Maurin did just that by securing them three points.
Unfortunately King's began their scoring streak, accumulating points from various shots and free throws and increasing the gap between the two teams.
Muppalla was able to take possession of the ball several times though this didn't amount to any points. Worthy pulled through with a two-pointer after a scuffle with KCL as Vazgys attempted the same but sadly missed.
It was clear UCL weren't discouraged at all by KCL's lead - King's gained another two but Muppalla immediately responded with a successful two-pointer.
However, KCL also seemed like they weren't slowing down any time soon by scoring a clean three-pointer, leaving the score at 28-34 at around three and a half minutes left of the second quarter. UCL missed their two free throws.
Two minutes left and it looked like a switch flicked for the team as Oli Rozario secured two insane two-pointers, bringing UCL closer to reversing the standing between them and KCL.
King's attempted to retort back but missed their shot as Vazgys finally equalised the score with another two points for UCL. KCL didn't let go of the lead easily, fighting back for it by gaining two points but Rozario came through once again with two more points for UCL.
The score was sitting at 36-36 and there was just a minute left of the first half.
UCL blocked an attempt from King's who subsequently missed their free throw. It would be Vazgys who finally carried UCL back into the lead with one two-pointer followed by another after repossessing the ball from King's.
Less than one second left before halftime and KCL managed a two point buzzer-beater, leaving us at 40-38 - UCL in the lead but needing to keep their momentum going for a definite victory.
Third Quarter
Keep their momentum they did. UCL began the second half with four points from Vazgys and Rozario as KCL missed their shot. Worthy scored a three-pointer and a scuffle ensued at UCL's section. KCL missed both their free throws but scored two, the score at 51-40.
Perhaps KCL lost their drive as they missed another two free throws and an attempted shot, though managed to score two free throws afterwards. Muppalla took possession of the ball and Vazgys scored a two-pointer. Immediately afterwards, Muppalla upped the intensity, securing a two points and then a three-pointer.
King's gained three points but UCL continued to dominate them as Sensurucu added another two points to UCL's total. However disaster struck when KCL's number 26 fell after contact with a UCL player.
Murmurs spread around the audience as they realised it wasn't a harmless trip and gasps quickly followed when spectators caught glimpses of 26's bleeding face. He appeared to be relatively okay, getting up fine and lifting his hand up to signal he was alright.
The match started up again after he was escorted off the court, with UCL scoring a free throw and KCL gaining two points. Maurin scored a three-pointer whilst King's followed with a two-pointer. Both teams gained a point from free throws and KCL scored two by the end of the third quarter, leaving the total at 65-54.
Final Quarter
UCL comfortably in the lead, they kickstarted the final quarter with six more points. King's managed to score two after a scuffle and Sensurucu secured two more for UCL afterwards.
Boos ensued from KCL fans whilst UCL took two successful free throws followed by yet another two-pointer from Sensurucu.
It seemed as though whenever KCL managed to inch closer to UCL, UCL would respond by scoring more points, keeping the gap at a secure 81-72 after Muppalla gained two at 40 seconds left.
King's were clearly feeling the pressure, as their number 10 was getting audibly agitated. They subsequently missed both free throws but managed to score a three-pointer with a second left of the match. Unfortunately for them, UCL's energy, particularly in the second half, left the final score at a victorious 83-75.
Post-match thoughts
Amongst the celebrations of UCL supporters, various spectators were approached for their thoughts on the game. One commented:
"It was amazing, I think the energy throughout was really really good".
Many agreed on the high energy, with one saying "It was really intense, there was always something happening" and another noting "It was electric". Surprisingly, we found a KCL student "behind enemy lines" who had come to support UCL rather than King's - a testament to the ability of our Men's Basketball team.
The team themselves were approached for comment and the captain echoed his previous confidence in the team's skill, stating, "We weren't worried at all from the start, we knew what was gonna happen".
When asked about the intensity of the second half he joked, "Yeah we wanted the fans to have a good game so we didn't, like, blow them out from the start".
Other players added, "It's a good way to end the season with the lads" and "Easy work, next year same thing". They also shouted out Denis and all the leavers from the team - clearly a fantastic "final farewell" that they were confident they’d achieve.