Equity Bank claimed a hard-fought victory over JKL Lady Dolphins in the fifth-place playoff match in the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 Qualifiers at the Amaan Indoor Sport Hall in Tanzania, winning 59-56 in a dramatic game that came down to the final seconds.
Both teams battled closely throughout, with Equity Bank ultimately edging out the JKL Lady Dolphins thanks to clutch performances and key plays in the final minute.
Evelyne Nakiyingi’s missed three-pointer with six seconds left marked the last shot attempt for JKL, sealing the victory for Equity Bank.
Equity’s Maryann Nyagaki Wanjiku also contributed with a key layup and a vital defensive play down the stretch. In one of the pivotal moments, she blocked an attempt by Hope Akello in the final two minutes, stifling JKL’s momentum and securing the narrow lead.
Additionally, Nakiyingi’s three-pointer earlier in the quarter had briefly put JKL back within striking distance, but repeated turnovers and missed shots allowed Equity to hold on.
Both teams showed resilience, with JKL making several attempts to narrow Equity’s lead through three-pointers and fast breaks, but ultimately falling short.
