National Basketball League | Women
- JKL Dolphins 63-43 KIU Rangers
Under the gleam of the YMCA Court lights on Wednesday evening, Ines Kanyamuneza put on a show of heart and hustle. With a game-high 22 points, she carried the weight of a short-handed KIU Rangers team on her back.
But even her heroic effort couldn’t stop the tide brought by the deep and disciplined JKL Lady Dolphins, who cruised to a 63-43 victory in the National Basketball League (NBL) Women’s division clash.
It was a game tilted before the tip-off. The Rangers were missing four key players, Racheal Nanyonga, Fildauce Namulema, Florence Nanyonga and Stella Nanfuka who were away on national netball duty in Zanzibar.
Their absence left a gaping hole in KIU’s lineup, one that Kanyamuneza tried desperately to fill with fierce drives, mid-range jumpers and unrelenting energy on both ends of the floor.
The JKL Lady Dolphins, in contrast, looked every bit like a championship-calibre side. With a balanced offensive attack and crisp ball movement, they spread the floor and broke down KIU’s makeshift defense methodically.
Tamasha Nsubuga led the way with 14 points, while Evelyn Nakiyinji, Flavia Oketcho and Zainah Lokwameri added 12, 11 and 10 points respectively.
From the first quarter, where JKL jumped to a 17-12 lead, to the closing minutes of the fourth, they never lost their grip.
Even when KIU clawed back briefly behind Patricia Alado’s 12 rebounds and second-chance opportunities, the Dolphins stayed composed, answering every run with poise and execution.
With the win, JKL improved to 8-2, locking in third place at the end of the first round behind the KCCA Leopards and JT Lady Jaguars.
KIU, on the other hand, absorbed their fifth loss, a blow softened only by the hope of a stronger second half when their full squad returns.
