UCU Lady Canons face a do-or-die battle tonight, Friday, October 10, against defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins in Game 4 of the National Basketball League semifinals at Lugogo Indoor Arena at 7pm, live on NBS Sport.
JKL lead the best-of-five series 2-1 and are one win away from sealing a return to the finals, while UCU must win to force a decisive Game 5.
The Lady Canons, record eight-time champions, began the series brightly with a 57-46 victory in Game 1 but have since lost momentum, falling 59-51 and 65-61 in the next two games.
Their last defeat was particularly painful, having led by 14 points before collapsing in the second half.
JKL’s comeback in Game 3 was driven by two-time MVP Hope Akello and seven-time scoring champion Brenda Ekon, who combined for 37 of the team’s 65 points.
The pair scored 28 points in the second half, one more than the entire UCU team managed over the same stretch.
UCU will need to address their turnover problems and poor shooting from beyond the arc, having made only three of their 29 three-point attempts in the previous game.
Coach Nicholas Natuhereza will look to players like Shillah Lamunu, Bridget Aber, and Martina Anyango to regain control of the paint and steady the offense.
JKL, on the other hand, will rely on Akello’s leadership and Ekon’s scoring touch to finish the job and secure their place in the finals.
The defending champions have shown superior composure and resilience in crunch moments, something they will look to extend into tonight’s matchup.
If JKL win, they will advance to face JT Lady Jaguars, who swept Magic Stormers 3-0 to reach their first-ever NBL final.
The Jaguars sealed the sweep on Independence Day with a 59-43 win, led by Rhoda Naggita and Brenda Kayaga’s 14 points apiece, while Mercy Batamuliza pulled down 20 rebounds.
All focus now shifts to Lugogo, where the Lady Canons will fight to save their season and JKL will push to defend their crown.
