The dream was alive for three quarters. Then, once again, the fourth quarter took it away.

The Kira Lady Jaguars’ season has come to an end after a 63–49 Game 5 loss to the UCU Lady Canons in the WNBL Finals.

For three quarters, the Jaguars fought like a team that refused to let the moment pass them by. They defended, battled, responded to every UCU run and kept the championship within reach.

But when the game demanded its best basketball, the Jaguars simply could not find enough of it and the fourth quarter told the story.

Finals MVP Matrina Anyango finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists on 44 percent shooting. Brenda Kayaga and Maimuna Nabbosa contributed 14 points apiece, while Aziida Lubega finished with 8 points and Bridget Aber added 6 in a valiant effort from the Jaguars.

However, the Canons’ dominance on the paint and from beyond the arc ultimately proved decisive. UCU knocked down 11 three-pointers and collected 59 rebounds, giving them the extra possessions and transition opportunities they needed to take control.

A Strong Start

The Lady Jaguars got off to a scorching start. Their perimeter players were laser-focused defensively, refusing to allow any separation on the split cuts. Offensively, they trusted Sandra Wangeshi to guide the plays from the point guard position, while in the post, Bridget Aber made life difficult for Matrina Anyango, limiting her impact and keeping her largely quiet.

The Jaguars finished the opening period with a 15–12 lead.

They then opened the second quarter with a 5–0 run before UCU responded with a 10–0 run of their own to take a two-point lead.

It was a low-scoring quarter for the Jaguars, who managed just 8 points compared to UCU’s 12. Despite that, they remained within striking distance, heading into halftime with UCU holding just a one-point advantage.

Third Quarter Battle

The third quarter was arguably the most entertaining period of the game, with both teams going back and forth from beyond the three-point line.

Both teams made five three-pointers, refusing to allow the other to create significant separation.

But this was where rebounding became crucial.

UCU won the battle on the rebounding, giving the Canons an advantage in transition and allowing them to generate crucial second-chance opportunities. Still, the Jaguars remained in the contest, trailing by just four points heading into the final quarter.

Fourth-Quarter Collapse

Down by four, the Lady Jaguars allowed UCU to go on an 8–0 run, while the Jaguars endured a scoring drought that lasted the first four minutes of the quarter.

The plan was clear: attack the deficit from beyond the arc. But the shots simply would not fall, and the Jaguars continued to struggle on the boards.

Brenda Kayaga tried to save the ship, but by then, too much damage had already been done.

The fourth quarter became the Jaguars’ worst-scoring period of the night, with just 7 points, while UCU poured in 17 to close out the game 63–49. And just like that, the UCU Lady Canons were crowned champions.

For the second time, the Kira Lady Jaguars finish as first runners-up in the WNBL title race.