JKL defeated UCU in all the first four games of the finals (photo by FUBA Media)
FUBA National Basketbal League (NBL)-Women Finals (Game Four)
JKL Lady Dolphins 66-63 UCU Lady Canons
MTN Arena, Lugogo
Wednesday, 24-10-2018
LUGOGO – JKL Lady Dolphins completed a sweep of UCU Lady Canons with a 66-63 game four victory on Wednesday night to win their first ever FUBA NBL Women’s title.
JKL came into game four having won the first three and knew a win in would see them dethrone UCU who held the title at the time. They made no mistake, winning three of the four quarters and eventually holding a three point advantage at the sound of the final buzzer.
The Dolphins started strongly, racing into a six point lead inside the first four minutes as Hope Akello, Peace Nakirijja and Mayimuna Namuwaya all converted within the D. Rose Micomyiza reduced the deficit to four with a layup for UCU but Ritah Imanishimwe made sure JKL move back to a six point caution with a layup of her own moments later.
At the end of the first quarter, JKL were leading 16-10 and cruising to another win in the series.
However, despite Akello increasing JKL’s lead to eight at the start of the second, UCU played their hearts out and eventually won the quarter 21-10 to hold a healthy five point lead (31-26) at half time.
Unlike the first two quarters, the third was more of a contest as both side traded baskets and at the end of it, UCU was leading by two (48-46) despite losing it (third quarter) 20-17.
The University side threatened to pull away at the start of the fourth as Sarah Ageno and Angela Zainah sank two quick layups to increase their lead to six (52-46) with 09:07 on the clock. JKL responded immediately, going on a run of 6-0 in the next two minutes and in the process leveling the game at 52 all.
The next few minutes were all UCU, enjoying another 6-0 run to retain their six point advantage (58-52) with just over three minutes to play.
However, JKL responded in style, restricting the University side to just five more points in the last 3:58 minutes and posting 14 of their own to win the game 66-63 in the end.
In the all-important game four, JKL had five players reach double figures in terms of points with Hope Akello grabbing a double double of 10 points and as many rebounds. The other who reached double figures were Jamila Nansikombi (11), Mayimuna Namuwaya (10), Ritah Imanishimwe (15) and Flavia Oketcho (11).
For UCU, Captain Vilma Acheng top scored on the night with a double double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Sarah Ageno (13) and Angela Zainah (11) were the others who reached double figures in terms of points.
The victory means that JKL took the best of seven series 4-0 to clinch their first ever league title.
How JKL swept UCU to win the 2018 FUBA NBL Women’s title:
Game 1: UCU 64-70 JKL
Game 2: JKL 75-69 UCU
Game 3: UCU 49-56 JKL
Game 4: JKL 66-63 UCU
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