Ochera Shines as Blazers stay perfect, Lady Dolphins avenge KCCA loss

National Basketball League

Men

JT Jaguars 71 NamBlazers 81

Women

JKL Lady Dolphins 86 KCCA Leopards 74

Innocent Ochera delivered a game-high 20 points to lead the Namuwongo Blazers to an 81-71 victory over JT Jaguars on Friday night at Lugogo Indoor Arena, completing a season sweep in the National Basketball League.

Ochera was lethal from beyond the arc, hitting 4-of-6 three-pointers, and spearheaded a balanced attack alongside Tonny Drileba (14 points), James Okello (12), and Michael Makiadi (12). The win keeps the Blazers unbeaten at 12-0, having previously defeated the Jaguars 83-57 in the first round.

Despite a strong showing from Aaron John Eboyu (22 points) and Ian Lubwama (20), the Jaguars struggled to keep pace, with limited support from the rest of the roster. They narrowly won the rebounding battle (51-50) and committed fewer turnovers (17 to Blazers' 24), but shot just 5-of-17 from three-point range.

JT Jaguars led 19-15 after the first quarter, but the Blazers surged ahead with a 26-19 second quarter to take a 41-38 halftime lead and never looked back, extending their lead to 65-57 by the end of the third.

In the women’s league, the JKL Lady Dolphins got their revenge against KCCA Leopards with an 86-74 win, avenging a 75-67 first-round loss.

Shadia Nassanga dominated with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Agatha Kamwada added 17 points, while Hope Akello contributed 15. KCCA’s Susan Aanyu led her side with 22 points, with Perus Nyamwenge (15) and Margaret Bagaala (10) also scoring in double digits.

JKL took a 30-24 lead after the first quarter, but KCCA rallied to lead 48-47 at halftime. However, big shots from Kamwada helped JKL regain control in the third quarter and maintain a comfortable lead to close out the game.