Narrow University Challenge victory ensures Imperial a place in quarter final round

Imperial College narrowly beat Southampton 190-180 in the second round of University Challenge. The team will now progress to the quarter finals. 

Imperial quickly developed a lead during the match, leading by 140-65 with only 10 minutes left of the round. However, an astonishing comeback by Southampton allowed them to gain the lead by five points with just five minutes to go on the clock.  

Nevertheless, Imperial took the lead in the next two rounds, reaching 190 points. Despite Southampton’s attempt to catch up, they narrowly missed by the time the gong symbolising the match’s end sounded. 

Host Amol Rajan described the Imperial team as “very strong” and “on amazing form” but also told the team that they “want to in future make it less stressful” for themselves.  

The team brought their jar of kimchi as part of their mascot ensemble, eliciting a chuckle from Rajan.

Imperial’s next match will be in the New Year, as they head off against an, as of now, unknown team for a seat in the semi-finals.