By Michael Ainomugisha
JT Lady Jaguars held off a spirited UCU Lady Canons side to claim a 74–70 victory in a tightly contested National Basketball League second-round opener on April 24, 2026, at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The matchup lived up to its billing, pitting the regular-season leaders against the record champions and second on the log in a game defined by runs, control on the boards, and a decisive fourth quarter.
UCU made the brighter start. Martina Anyango set the tone early in the paint, combining with Sylvia Nantongo to give the Lady Canons a narrow 20–19 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Jaguars struggled to match UCU’s inside presence, despite early efforts from Mercy Batamuliza.
Coach Nicholas Natuhereza’s side built on that momentum in the second quarter. They tightened their defence and executed better in transition, outscoring the Jaguars 18–13 to take a 38–32 lead into halftime. Anyango continued to dominate inside, while Nantongo’s rebounding limited second-chance opportunities for the Jaguars.
Coming out of the break, the Lady Jaguars responded. They adjusted their approach, slowing the tempo and relying more on structured half-court offence. Batamuliza and Mary Priscillar Nambogo found rhythm, helping the Jaguars edge the third quarter 15–12 and cut the deficit to three points heading into the final period.
The game turned in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars raised their intensity on both ends, opening with a strong scoring run that shifted control. Batamuliza led the charge, attacking the basket and drawing fouls, while Sarah Ageno anchored the defensive effort with key rebounds that denied UCU second chances.
UCU stayed within reach through Anyango and Nantongo, who continued to deliver in the paint, but the Jaguars’ execution in the closing minutes proved decisive. They outscored UCU 27–20 in the final quarter to complete the comeback and secure the win.
Anyango led all scorers with 25 points and added 11 rebounds in a strong performance for UCU. Nantongo posted a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Sylvia Nakituuka contributed 10 points.
For the Lady Jaguars, Batamuliza finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, leading a balanced scoring effort. Nambogo added 12 points, while Ageno’s impact came through her dominance on the boards with 16 rebounds.
