The Patriots’ trio of Dieudonné Ndizeye, William Perry, and Steven Hagumintwari led their team to a convincing 73-59 victory over APR BBC by collectively scoring 66 points. This win propelled the Patriots to the top of the Rwanda Basketball League standings and ended APR’s unbeaten streak of 14 games.
KIGALI, March 20, amidst much anticipation, the Patriots claimed a thrilling victory over APR Basketball Club, a highly competitive match in the Rwanda Basketball League that drew a large crowd at the Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium.
Henry Mwinuka’s Patriots, inspired by their previous game against REG BBC, harnessed early momentum to rev up the crowd and fortify player confidence, carrying them through a grueling 40-minute contest against a tenacious APR team.
The Patriots got off to an electrifying start, as Steven Hagumintwari and Frank Kamndoh’s successive dunks electrified the crowd and gave their team a six-point advantage in the opening two minutes of play.
The Patriots’ relentless determination was evident when Nikola Scekic pressured Mike Dixon into a turnover. William Perry capitalized on the opportunity by sinking the first three-pointer of the game, extending the lead to nine points with 3 minutes of the game and prompting Mazen Trakh to call the first timeout.
The Patriots’ crucial 9-0 opening run was instrumental as they closed the first quarter with a 19-9 lead. Steven Hagumintwari’s effective defense on Adonis Filer, the league’s leading scorer, played a part in their slight defensive edge at the quarter’s end.
Concerning the supporters, In the charged atmosphere of LDK, the competition extended beyond the court and into the stands. Michael Dixon, a former Patriots player and current captain of APR, faced vocal opposition from the crowd, particularly whenever he touched the ball or fell to the floor. Patriots fans took pleasure in expressing their disdain for Dixon, reflecting on his contentious involvement in the previous season’s playoffs.
After being limited to just nine points in the initial 10 minutes, APR’s Maz Trakh made a strategic move in the second quarter by introducing Ntore Habimana to enhance their offensive prowess. The Rwanda International guard had an immediate impact, scoring 11 points in just 8 minutes, narrowing the deficit to two points (26-28).
With less than 20 seconds left in the half, APR’s Michael Dixon Jr. was fouled while attempting a three-pointer. He made all three free throws, giving APR their first lead of the game at 29-28 as they went into halftime with a one-point advantage.
In the third quarter, the Patriots reintroduced their starting five to mount pressure on APR and gain control of the game. Captain Dieudonné Ndizeye made a emarkable performance by hitting four consecutive three-pointers, narrowing APR’s lead and giving the Patriots a seven-point advantage heading into the final quarter (54-47).
In the last quarter, APR’s response was anticipated, given their early season preparations, which included a 10-day camp in Doha to strengthen team chemistry. However, they encountered formidable resolve from the Patriots who were determined to end APR’s incredible unbeaten streak. Ultimately, the game concluded with a score of 73-59 in favor of the Patriots.
APR’s unbeaten streak of 14 games was brought to a halt, with their previous defeat also coming at the hands of the Patriots on August 11, 2023, during the regular season.
Captain Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba, Steven Hagumintwari, and William Kiah Perry collectively contributed 66 points out of the team’s total score of 73. Ndizeye showcased an impressive performance with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Perry delivered a stellar double-double performance with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.
Steven Hagumintwari also made significant contributions with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.
On the opposing side, Dixon Andre Michael, Ntore Habimana, and Adonis Filer scored 17, 11, and 10 points respectively
At 7-0, the Patriots maintain their unbeaten run, securing their top spot in the league standings. APR holds the second position with a record of 6 wins and 1 loss, accumulating 12 points in the league standings.
This victory held significant meaning beyond just two points for the Patriots, as it served as a well-timed revenge against APR, who had swept them in last season’s playoffs.
The defeat of APR at the hands of the Patriots has sparked apprehension among basketball enthusiasts in Rwanda as the team gears up for the BAL Sahara Conference games in Dakar. While the team made notable signings, the Patriots game highlighted the necessity for a balance between backcourt and frontcourt players within the team.
In the company of esteemed basketball figures such as Amadou Gallo Fall, President of BAL, NBA legend Rick Fox, Desire Mugwiza, President of Ferwaba, and President Kagame’s sons, Ivan and Ian Kagame, along with other notable personalities, the APR-Patriots showdown continues to be recognized as the epitome of basketball excellence, not only in Rwanda but also throughout East Africa.
