NBL Playoffs | Women | SF | Game 3
- UCU Lady Canons 61-65 JKL Lady Dolphins
JKL Lady Dolphins are just one win away from reaching the 2025 National Basketball League Playoff semifinals after a spirited 65–61 comeback victory over the UCU Lady Canons on Wednesday night at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
Captain Hope Akello led by example, posting a dominant 20 points and 13 rebounds as JKL overturned a 14-point deficit to claim Game Three and a 2–1 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series.
UCU started strong, with Sylvia Nantongo opening the scoring and Ritah Imanishimwe’s jumper tying the game at 25–25 late in the second quarter.
The Canons closed the half with a nine-point cushion (34–25) and looked in control when Shillah Lamunu’s eurostep extended their lead to 44–30 midway through the third quarter.
But JKL refused to fold. With Akello rallying her teammates, the Dolphins cut the gap to four points heading into the final quarter (49–45).
Then came the turning point, Brenda Ekone’s spark off the bench. Introduced with seven minutes left, she poured in 10 clutch points, fueling a late surge that left UCU struggling to keep up.
JKL outscored UCU 20–12 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback, sealing a memorable win.
Akello’s leadership stood tall, supported by Ekone (17 points) and Evelyn Nakiyingi (10 points). For UCU, Matrina Anyango (15 points), Lamunu (11 points, 14 rebounds), and Nantongo (11 points) fought hard but couldn’t stop the tide.
With a 2–1 series advantage, the Lady Dolphins can book their place in the Finals with a win in Game Four.
