The 2026 National Basketball League served up a major twist on Friday night as JT Lady Jaguars halted the unbeaten march of UCU Lady Canons with a tense 55-51 triumph at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
Coming into the contest riding a nine-game winning streak, UCU looked poised to extend their dominance, but JT flipped the narrative with a resilient display built on defensive discipline and late-game composure. The victory was even more significant given JT were without key players Rhoda Nagitta and Bridget Aber, forcing a reshuffled lineup to step up.
The game took time to find rhythm, with both teams struggling early before eventually settling into a closely fought contest. Neither side managed to create clear separation, as the lead changed hands in a tightly contested opening half.
JT edged ahead by the break, capitalizing on defensive stops to carry a slender advantage into halftime.
After the interval, intensity rose on both ends of the floor. Scoring opportunities became harder to come by as defenses tightened, with crucial blocks and turnovers shaping the flow of the game.
UCU briefly looked set to preserve their perfect record after edging in front late in the fourth quarter, but JT responded decisively in the closing moments.
A composed finish in the final minutes saw JT regain control and hold firm under pressure to seal a statement win that reshapes the early title race.
Mariam Namukwaya led UCU’s scoring effort, supported by Sylvia Nantongo and Matrina Anyango, while JT relied on key contributions from Sarah Ageno and Maimuna Nabbosa to get over the line in a performance that underlined their depth and determination.
