REG BBC recovered from their loss to APR last Friday by securing a 89-86 victory over Kepler in a tightly contested overtime match. Here’s a concise summary of all the Easter Monday games
On Monday, April 1, Rwanda Basketball League matches in both the men’s and women’s categories resumed, with anticipation surrounding the REG teams’ response after suffering double defeats against Army teams on Good Friday.
In a scheduled doubleheader, the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) teams were set to take on Kepler at Kinyinya. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the games were moved to LDK gymnasium. Despite facing tough challenges against APR teams the previous Friday, the REG teams responded positively.
In men’s category, Charles Mushumba’s REG BBC began the game with a commending lead, maintaining a 7-point advantage (21-14) in the first quarter and continuing their momentum throughout the second and third quarters. They held a 7-point lead at halftime (40-33) and expanded it to 11 points by the end of the third quarter (63-42).
However, in the final 10 minutes, The Mandy Juruni-coached team launched an aggressive comeback, narrowing the deficit to just 2 points. Yet, Jean Paul Ndoli’s performance thwarted Kepler’s chance to secure the win.
With just 1 second left in the game, Jean Paul Ndoli made a crucial layup to tie the game (79-79) and drew a foul on Pascal Niyonkuru. However, Ndoli, formerly of APR BBC, Patriots, and RP-IPRC Kigali Center, missed the free throw that could have sealed the game, sending it into overtime instead.
Despite REG encountering foul trouble, including players such as Antino Alvalezes Jackson, Pitchou Manga, and Herve Ikishatse, along with Benjamin Mukengerwa fouling out in overtime, Kepler seemed to be losing steam against the experienced REG BBC squad.Consequently, Charles Mushumba and his REG squad clinched victory over Mandy Juruni’s Kepler, securing an 89-86 win.
Kambuy Manga Pitchou contributed 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, achieving the highest efficiency of the game with a rating of 30. Antino Alvalezes Jackson, the American point guard, led the team with 25 points, while Herve Ikishatse delivered a double-double performance with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Benjamin Mukengerwa also chipped in with 18 points.
For Kepler, Chad Bowie had an impressive game-high 29 points. Bowie, Kepler’s leading scorer, recorded his fifth 25+ point performance in 8 league games.
Following their victory against Kepler, REG has improved to a 6-2 record in the league with 12 points, securing third place behind Patriots (16) and APR (17). Kepler now occupies the fourth position with 12 points.
REG Women BBC bounced back from Friday setback with a narrow victory over Kepler.
Following a narrow 77-75 loss to rivals APR on Friday, high expectations surrounded Esperance Mukaneza’s team as they geared up to face the promising Kepler side on Monday. Ultimately, they secured a victory.
REG Women BBC secured a narrow victory against Kepler, with Odile Tetero, last season’s playoffs MVP, playing a crucial role by contributing 26 points, 9 assists, and four rebounds. Tetero’s performance helped her team win 65-63 in a closely contested basketball game that came down to the wire.
Although the game appeared straightforward on paper, Rene Sahabu and his Kepler team were determined to replicate their previous upset over the 2023 Rwanda Basketball League runners-up, as they had done in the Legacy tournament.
The game, initially scheduled to be held at Kepler but moved to LDK due to weather conditions, saw Kepler’s Nelly Akariza, Sandra Nelly Nsanzabaganwa, and Henriette Uwimpuhwe heavily relied upon, as they collectively scored 50 out of the team’s total of 63 points. However, the bench contributed zero points, leaving the team with a shortened roster.
Former teammates from RP-IPRC Huye, Kepler’s Nelly Sandra Nsanzabaganwa (wearing white), is now facing off against REG’s Nandy Linda Uwitonze and Sandrine Mushikiwabo. Courtesy Photo
Henriette Uwimpuhwe led the team with 22 points, while point guard Nelly Sandra Nsanzabaganwa contributed 18 points along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Additionally, young Nelly Akariza achieved a double-double with 10 points and 20 rebounds.
Odile Tetero scored a game-high 26 points, while Ramla Munezo made a notable impact off the bench, contributing 12 points, 5 rebounds, and three steals in the team’s victory.
At Rwaza, Brigitte Nibishaka produced an outstanding performance, delivering a double-double with 25 points and 17 rebounds to lead GS Marie to a 79-37 victory over UR Huye. Nibishaka, last season’s defender of the year, continues to impress, leading the league in rebounds with 133 and ranking second in scoring with 165 points, just behind Henriette Uwimpuhwe’s 167 points.
The defending champions APR WBBC secured a victory on the road against RP-IPRC Huye with a score of 89-72. Marie Laurence Imanizabayo, Assouma Uwizeye, and Charlotte Umugwaneza all had double-double performances in the game.
Laurence Imanizabayo led APR to a victory over RP-IPRC Huye with a strong performance | Photo: APR WBBC
Imanizabayo led the scoring with 25 points, secured 10 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists. Uwizeye contributed 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Captain Umugwaneza added 10 points and 14 rebounds.
On the side of IPRC Huye, Nicole Urwibutso recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Violette Uwimpuhwe scored a team-high 24 points.
REG Women BBC currently tops the standings with 15 points (7-1), closely followed by undefeated APR with 14 points (7-0). GS Marie holds the third position with 13 points (6-1), which they share with the fourth-ranked team, Kepler. However, GS Marie secured their higher position by winning the head-to-head encounter against Kepler.
The basketball league will resume this Friday before pausing for the 30th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
This Friday in the Rwanda Basketball League, all eyes will be on the showdown between APR WBBC and GS Marie, highlighting the day’s fixtures.
