Brenda Ekon and Hope Akello lead JKL to a 14-point comeback in Game 3

Hope Akello and Brenda Ekon scored 28 points, 1 more than the entire UCU squad in the second half to steer JKL to victory in game 3.

October 9, 2025

3–4 minutes

Jkl Lady Dolphins, National Basketball League, NBL 25, UCU Lady Canons

The JKL Lady Dolphins defeated the UCU Lady Canons 65-61 in a 14-point comeback to take a 2-1 lead in the semi-final series.

For the second game running, 2-time MVP Hope Akello and 7-time scoring champion Brenda Ekon have led the JKL Lady Dolphins to victory.

In game 2, they scored 54% of the team’s total points as JKL won to tie the series.

This time around, they topped that. Hope and Ekon scored a total 37 points which was 57% of the team’s total, 65.

Most importantly, in the second half, they scored 28 points while the entire Lady Canons team scored just 27.

This game was very fascinating and competitive from the onset.

UCU arrived late for the game and barely had time to warm up.

However, they had a good first quarter.

JKL put Ruth Letaru to apply pressure on Lamunu but she managed to find a solution.

At the end of the first quarter, JKL led the game 14-12.

UCU then got their moments in the second quarter.

Halfway through the quarter, JKL led by 6 but the Lady Canons outscored them 17-2 to take a 9-point lead at the halftime break.

Bridget Aber was the difference as her presence caused problems for JKL.

Secondly, UCU was able to capitalize on the mismatches and they got some easy baskets.

UCU then extended their lead to 14 points in the third quarter but JKL came back fighting.

They managed to sink huge 3-point shots and Hope Akello became a menace.

Almost every time she got the ball, it felt like something magical was about to happen.

The Lady Dolphins had a 13-0 run in the third quarter which brought them to within 1 point but by the end of the quarter, UCU still led 49-45.

The Lady Dolphins trailed for most of the fourth quarter but they made big play after big play.

Brenda Ekon sunk 2 huge 3-point shots including one that gave them the lead with less than 4 minutes left.

With about a minute left, Zainah made a bad pass and Shillah Lamunu intercepted, went on to score and make it a 1-point game.

Immediately after, Ekon made perhaps the biggest basket of the game.

UCU played very good defense and for a moment, Ekon seemed to have lost control of the ball.

However, she somehow managed to regather, went past 2 defenders and scored.

The Lady Canons had a chance to take the lead with under minute to go but the opportunity went begging.

UCU worked out an inbound play and they managed to find Hajara Najjuko for a wide corner 3 but she missed.

The JKL Lady Dolphins then managed to hold on to secure a 65-61 victory.

Talking Points

Brenda Ekon came up huge for them. In the first half, she stunk. She had multiple attempts on the drive but she was not fruitful. However, the coaches kept the faith and she rewarded them with big 3’s.

One would think that the 20 points and 13 rebounds were Akello’s biggest contribution but that is not the case.

Hope made some drives and attracted defense. At times, she was triple teamed and this opened spaces for her teammates.

That is how those 3’s came about and also some of the lay ups. The defense focused on her a lot and this made it easy for her teammates.

Bridget Aber is a key player for UCU. Her presence helped UCU in the paint and she also exploited the mismatches particularly on Muhaimuna Namuwaya and Shadia Nassanga.