Aliou Diarra Fadiala dropped a monster double-double performance of 20 points, 18 rebounds, and a game-high 4 blocks to help APR BBC beat the top-seeded Patriots 101-93 on Friday night to tie the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League Playoff finals series at one game apiece.
Two days after a 12-point loss in Game 1, with Aliou Diarra dominating the team’s scoring and board charts but getting a little help, the Malian Center come out aggressive in Game 2, delivering both a strong defensive effort and an impressive offensive display.
Aliou Diarra’s APR started game 2 with an explosive 8-0 run in just 1 minute and 20 seconds, building on that momentum to close the first period ahead with 30-18.
Eager to finish the game early, much like their opponents did in Game 1, the defending champions kept up the intensity in the second quarter, scoring 27 points while holding the Patriots to just 17.
By halftime, APR extended their lead to 57-35; however, the Patriots launched a fierce comeback, starting with a 17-4 run in the first four minutes of the third quarter.
During this quarter, Aliou Diarra, the BAL 2023 defensive player of the year, was visibly frustrated after being subbed out by coach Maye. The standout defender wanted to stay on the floor as much as possible.
Despite the Patriots’ duo of Steven Hagumintwari and Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba heating up from three-point range, the army team slowed them down, and the third quarter ended with the Patriots cutting the deficit to 12, trailing 74-62.
Determined to mount one of the greatest comebacks in Rwanda Basketball League history, the Patriots entered the final quarter with renewed energy. Kamndoh Frank, who had been rested for the first two quarters, stepped up to take over from Ibeh, who was in foul trouble, and helped the patriots achieve what had seemed impossible.
Aliou Diarra’s APR held on to their lead until 2:54 left in the game, still ahead by 11 points. But William Perry hit two consecutive three-pointers, following Ibeh’s layup, cutting the lead to just three points with a minute remaining.
The reigning champions missed crucial free throws in the final minute, giving the Patriots a chance to claw their way back. A three-pointer from Hagumintwari and a layup by Kamndoh tied the game at 86 and forced overtime.
Despite never leading during regular time, the 2020 Rwanda Basketball League champions expended so much energy in their comeback that they struggled in overtime, especially after Ibeh and Kamndoh both fouled out. This allowed Aliou Diarra to dominate the boards, grabbing alomost all rebounds.
Axel Mpoyo’s back-to-back threes in overtime lifted APR to a much-needed victory to tie the series at 1-1.
Behind Aliou Diarra’s stellar performance on both ends of the floor, Mpoyo finished with a team-high 27 points, including 7 threes from 13 attempts.
Even with the loss, the Patriots were highly efficient from behind the arc, shooting 15-31 overall. Perry went 3-9, Stephaun 3-8, Hagumintwari 3-4, and captain Gaston hit 5-9.
Branch Stephaun led all scorers with 29 points, and the series resumes with Game 3 on Sunday.
PHOTOS: Innocent SHEMA
