In a repeat of the 2024 NBL Finals, the JKL Lady Dolphins managed to cruise past the UCU Lady Canons, 82-64, on Friday 11th at Lugogo.

The Lady Dolphins lost their opening game against the JT Lady Jaguars and it was going to be very difficult to see them lose to another ‘contender’ in less than 4 games.

They were up against a UCU Lady Canons team who were unbeaten and wanted to maintain their streak.

Since the finals last year, there have been a lot of changes, more so in the Lady Canons side, as they brought in a lot of youngsters.

This was a big test for them, and it was an opportunity to make their mark early in the season, but it wasn’t going to be an easy ride for them.

The first quarter ended in a 13-all stalemate but one player stood out.

Sylivia Nantongo seemed unstoppable as she went to work off the glass.

She had 9 points and 7 rebounds but all her 4 field goals were from second chances. She had 6 offensive rebounds and was giving the Lady Dolphins a hard time.

Despite UCU getting 10 offensive rebounds in the quarter, they scored only 8 second chance points but had chances to make it more.

The Lady Dolphins had attempted a couple of shots from a distance but quite couldn’t hit the target until Agatha Kamwada was introduced and made back-to-back triples.

The second quarter was the difference in this game and it’s safe to say JKL won it here.

In the first 2 minutes, they applied pressure, forced 3 consecutive turnovers and made sure to score.

UCU seemed to recover for a moment but the Lady Dolphins worked more defensively and they turned it into offense.

JKL seemed to make the right plays, more of it being transition.

10 of the Dolphins’ 29 points were points from turnovers and most of the rest were fast break points.

The second unit of UCU struggled a lot and by the time the first returned, the momentum was heavily leaning towards JKL.

The first half ended 42-30 and in the second, UCU was always chasing the game but quite couldn’t catch  up.

They still outscored UCU in the second half, 20-34 and the game ended 82-64, a comfortable 18-point victory for JKL.

One big positive for the Lady Canons in this game is the fact that they tested out most of their youngsters.

To close the game, Zoe Atek, Christine Saima, Sarah Namale, Sylvia Nakituuka, and Martina Anyango were on the floor and that is their future.

Coach’s Reactions

“I feel like we were messy the whole game, we never had any control”

Some of our players are distracted by exams and other stuff

Once the game was out of hand, we figured that we would give a chance to the young ladies to get some experience and exposure

Match Stats

JKL Lady Dolphins

Agatha Kamwada 19 pts, 2 reb

Tamasha Nsubuga 19 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 6 stl

Hope Akello 9 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl

UCU Lady Canons

Sylvia Nantongo 13 pts, 11 reb

Millicent Otieno 13 pts, 3 reb

Sarah Namale 10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast

The JKL Lady Dolphins now have a 2-1 record.

They will be back in action on Sunday 13th as they take the Nkumba Lady Marines at Lugogo.

UCU Lady Canons have lost their first game of the season and have a 2-1 record.

They take on Angels next on Wednesday 16th at Abja Park.