It wasn’t to be for DMU’s men’s first team on Sunday night as our boys fell agonisingly short by just one score in the basketball.
A capacity crowd of 970 watched in awe as an audacious three-pointer from UoL in the final minute ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Earlier our women’s firsts went down 59-46, leaving it down to the men to carry DMU’s hopes into the last fixture of Varsity 2026. Always the flagship event of Varsity, this year proved no exception as a packed-out Queen Elizabeth II Leisure Centre saw a tight match with a thrilling finish.
The crowd was treated to performances by cheerleading teams from both universities before the match and at half time, with DMU Saints entertaining with two high tempo routines.
The University of Leicester drew first blood with two three-pointers to take an early 6-0 lead, before DMU hit back with baskets of their own. But UoL’s successful outside shooting was crucial in separating the teams early on, leading DMU by 20-12 after the first quarter.
DMU came out strongly in the second quarter, closing out the first half with some great defensive play to reduce the deficit to 34-40 by half time.
The nip and tuck nature of the match continued in the third quarter, at one stage with only one point in it, before a couple of UoL baskets just before the final break took them to a 49-43 lead.
Then came the pulsating final quarter, A brilliant fast break from DMU number 6 James Byrne gave the DMU crowd something to cheer about, and left every crowd member on their feet. There was no sitting from then on.
A timeout with seven minutes to go saw the match evenly poised with just two points in it. Then, with less than five minutes to play, DMU took the lead for the first time 54-53, with expectations rising in players and fans.
Both teams traded baskets before Byrne again was at the heart of the action with an unstoppable three-pointer to level the game at 59-59 with one minute to go.
Agony then followed for DMU, as UoL hit back almost immediately with a decisive three-pointer before DMU’s last ditch effort got agonisingly stuck on the rim.
UoL were then able to keep possession and run out the clock, with DMU ultimately coming up short and having to rue some near misses.
The lads will go again next year in the hopes of going just one step beyond and securing the win.
Wearing number 1, DMU Varsity debutant David Mpiana reflected after the match on the close defeat and the experience in front of the crowd:
“Honestly, I'm really grateful for this opportunity. Overall, I really enjoyed it, even though we didn't get the result that we wanted.
“At the end, when we took the lead, I was just thinking straight defence. With the crowd as well, cheering on, it really motivated everyone on the team as well. But in the end something just didn’t go our way.
“I was told it would be a surreal experience, but to come in and see the crowd was really special. Not many people can say that they've played in a place like this before.”
Coach Igor Mirkovic was animated throughout, with some stirring words in the final quarter timeouts. At one point he turned to the DMU crowd to urge them to cheer louder. Though his players ultimately fell short, he was full of praise for his team after the final buzzer:
“I think this year has been really successful in terms of how the team approached the season. We made the quarter-finals of the Box Cup and ended winning seven and three, leaving us in the top three, which is a great result.
“Today was obviously the pinnacle of the season. A lot of work has gone in, including extra sessions over the last couple of weeks, and mentally we prepared the team as much as possible. When it’s this close, maybe it was a bit of nerves or experience which made the difference – it’s not easy if you’ve never played in front of such a massive crowd to try to keep your composure.
“But it was a great experience for the players, and I think entertaining for the fans too. To see this many supporting this sport is fantastic.”
Action shots: Jenny James
Posted on Tuesday 24 March 2026