The National Basketball League semifinals tipped off in emphatic fashion on Wednesday night as JT Lady Jaguars set the tone with a statement win over Magic Stormers, dismantling them 63-37 at YMCA Court in Wandegeya.
While the Stormers entered the series hoping to spring a surprise, it was the Jaguars who immediately stamped authority. They established a commanding 20-8 lead in the opening quarter and never looked back, dictating the tempo on both ends of the floor.
The night belonged to Mercy Batamuliza, who delivered a powerhouse double-double performance with 17 points and 15 rebounds. She found able support in Shakirah Nanvubya (16 points) and Brenda Kayaga (11 points), ensuring the Jaguars’ offense kept ticking.
On the other side, the Stormers were left searching for answers. Kur Ajah’s 12 points stood as their only notable contribution, with the rest of the roster faltering. Their struggles were underlined by a dismal one-for-18 shooting display from three-point range, compounded by being outmuscled 61-43 on the boards.
The result leaves the Jaguars holding a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-five series, and with momentum firmly in their grasp. For Magic Stormers, the road ahead looks daunting—they will need a swift turnaround in execution and mentality if they are to prevent the Jaguars from tightening their grip on the semifinal matchup.
