UCU Lady Canons will be aiming to bounce back as they head into Game Four of the National Basketball League (NBL) playoff finals tonight against the JKL Lady Dolphins at Lugogo.
The Lady Canons hold a 2-1 series lead, and they know that a victory will put them just one win away from securing the championship.
Their performance in Game One and Two showed their resilience and depth, but a disappointing shooting display in Game Three saw them fall 72-54, giving JKL a lifeline and allowing the defending champions to claw their way back into the series.
Having missed 23 of their 25 attempts from beyond the arc, the Lady Canons will need to refine their shooting accuracy if they are to reclaim control of the finals.
Rebounding has been a critical factor in the series so far. In Game Two, UCU dominated the boards with 27 more rebounds than JKL, which was a key contributor to their win.
However, the tables turned in Game Three, where JKL out-rebounded UCU by 22, highlighting the Lady Canons’ need to reassert their presence in the paint.
Tonight, UCU will be keen to rectify the mistakes from their last outing. A win would not only give them a commanding 3-1 series lead but also set them up for a potential championship clincher in Game Five on Friday.
On the other side, the JKL Lady Dolphins, rejuvenated by their Game Three victory, are determined to level the series at 2-2.
While they managed to spark their title defense with a strong showing last Sunday, they still struggled with 24 turnovers and a subdued performance from star player Brenda Ekone, who scored just four points.
If JKL can continue to build on their momentum and address these issues, they could force a decisive Game Five, setting the stage for a thrilling end to the finals.
