The JKL Lady Dolphins won their third consecutive NBL title after edging the JT Lady Jaguars, 69-68, in the finals, to win the series 4-1.

This also marks theirs fifth championship in six years whilst they have been to the finals in those six years.

After winning game 4 on Friday 31st, the Lady Dolphins had one mission. To close the series.

However, this was never going to be an easy game as the Lady Jaguars needed this to keep their season alive.

JT Lady Jaguars came out firing in the first period. They outscored JKL 18-9, and a lot of these came in transition.

The start to the second quarter wasn’t good for the Lady Jaguars.

The team did not score a single field goal in over 5 minutes and had just 2 points in that time.

JKL used this opportunity to chip away and before long, they had taken the lead.

In the 12-2 run that JKL made, 10 of those points were from either second chances or turnovers.

That was the area that they managed to capitalize on.

However, Brenda Kayaga scored back-to-back 3-pointers but Ritah Imanishimwe responded with the same.

At the halftime break, the game was tied 34-34.

The third quarter was the difference in this game. The JT ladies still found a hard time getting the ball in the hole and this played in the hands of JKL.

They managed to sink some huge shots and the buzzer triple by Zainah Lokwameri to end the quarter came in huge. JKL led the game 55-45 and were innthe driving seat with the final period left.

The scoring from JKL was not there to start the fourth.

JT also missed 4 crucial free throws but managed to make a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 4 points.

As the game progressed, it was one possession at a time. Neither team wanted to make mistakes.

Shadia Nassanga and Evelyne buried 4 free throws in a row before Batamuliza responded on the other end.

What finished the Jaguars was the huge 3-point shot that Ritah Imanishimwe hit and shortly after, Evelyne going to work and finishing off easy with the lay up.

JKL led by 8 points but the Jaguars knew they had a chance and they kept fighting.

They made another 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 2 points.

However, after Maimuna scored that basket in that run, Ritah Imanishimwe had stayed back and Evelyne Nakiyingi inbounded to her to the easy 2 and the final nail in the coffin.

Rhoda Nagitta buried a late 3-point shot but time was already gone and JKL won the game 69-68.

Player Stats (Game 5)

JKL Lady Dolphins

Hope Akello 14 pts, 18 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl

Ritah Imanishimwe 11 pts

Becky Longom 11 pts, 7 reb

JT Lady Jaguars

Brenda Kayaga 24 pts, 3 ast

Mercy Batamuliza 14 pts, 14 reb, 3 blk, 2 stl

Maimuna Nabbosa 10 pts, 3 reb ,3 ast

Facts

In the last 3 years, the JT Lady Jaguars have been improving in position per year.

Fourth in 2023, third in 2024 and now second in 2025.

JKL Lady Dolphins have been in 6 consecutive finals and have won 5 of those.

Agatha Kamwada has the longest active winning streak (championships) with 4 in a row.

In the 3 finals they have won, JKL has lost game one of the series.