Chelsea Jennings scored 17 points, including the game-winning shot, to help REG upset JKL Lady Dolphins 66-65 and set up a quarter-final matchup with Gladiators in Africa Women Basketball League Qualifiers Group D
Kigali, November 1st, Rwanda Energy Group Women Basketball team came from 11 points down in the final 2 minutes of the game to secure a 66-65 victory over Uganda champions, avoiding APR in the quarter finals and setting up a Gladiators matchup.
Prior to the game, it was evident that if REG WBBC don’t defeat the JKL Lady Dolphins, they would face APR WBBC in the quarterfinals, as APR had already finished their group games in second place behind Kenya’s Equity Bank. And no one in the REG camp wanted to face APR, who comfortably thrashed them 4-1 in the recent Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs finals.
On the court, the Rwandan electricians led the first two quarters (13-09, 20-20) to take a four-point lead in the first half, but the Ugandan champions and three-time title holders, JKL Lady Dolphins, responded after the break, scoring 22 points to REG’s 11.
The Mandy Juruni team held the lead until the final two minutes of the game, when JKL led by 11 points (64-53)
The Turning Point
The final two minutes of the game were a nightmare for Ugandans, beginning with Mary Amaniyo’s defensive foul, drawn by Chelsea Jennings, who converted the free throws to reduce the gap to nine points.
It was followed by Shakirah Nanvubya’s turnover, and Juruni felt that the team was losing concentration, then asked a timeout.
Mireille Nyota made a two-point play in the paint after the timeout to make it 57-64 with 1:45 remaining.
Brenda Ekon, the 2023 NBL women’s top scorer, decided to go alone and attack the rim as JKL had a possession, but she couldn’t get past Nyota Mireille, and the latter set up a transition offense, but Imanishimwe defended Chelsea Jennings in one on one. Imanishimwe passed the ball to Nanvubya, who turned over the ball again.
Before the final minute, Esperance Mukaneza and Jacques Bahige asked a timeout to play their final strategies, which was followed by Nyota Mireille’s basket into the paint, to inspire REG BBC to a comeback. 59-64
JKL squandered another possession when 2023 NBL MVP Hope Akello tossed the ball to Nanvubya, open on the three-point line, but the point guard’s long shot failed, and Nyota Mireille grabbed a defensive rebound and hit a three-point shot to cut the deficit to two points. 62-64 with 40 seconds remaining.
Ritah Imanishimwe was awarded two free throws after drawing a foul on the next possession, but only one was converted.
Betty Kalanga fouled out with 30 seconds left on the clock, forcing Mukaneza to use her final timeout to find a three-point shot to level the game at 65. The experienced Mandy Juruni took the chance to bolster his defense behind the arc as well, which worked and forced Micomyiza to attack the rim, but Captain Flirsh was fully aware of her movements.
JKL Lady Dolphins had a chance to kill the game after Hayes’ foul in the final 15 seconds, however Shakirah Nanvubya had a night to forget as she missed both free throws.
With JKL’s tight defense on the three-point line, REG chose to employ Nyota Mireille’s height in the paint, and she didn’t disappoint. 64-65 with 10 seconds remaining.
The Basket was followed by Flavia Oketcho’s turnover and Chelsea Jennings made no mistake with a midrange shot to take the game, 66-65.
The Congolese center Mireille Nyota Muganza led REG to a hard-fought comeback, and Chelsea Jennings was the night’s hero, hitting a clutch jumper to seal a much-needed victory.
Muganza produced an outstanding performance for Esperance Mukaneza’s side, recording 22 points and 19 rebounds in 35 minutes spent on court. Chelsea Jennings followed suit with 17 points.
JKL’s leading scorer, Ekon Brenda netted 21 points
REG faces the Gladiators in a quarterfinal today, October 2, at 7 p.m., while The Dolphins take on APR at 5 p.m.
The Vijana Queens play KPA at 12, while the Nile Legends rub shoulders with Equity Bank in the other quarterfinal matchups.
The games take place at LDK Gymnasium
