Round 1: REG take a leadership position

The Regular Season in Basketball Africa League just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Rwandan REG defeated Nigerian Kwara Falcons in Kigali 64-48. REG held Kwara Falcons to an opponent 24.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 37.1 percent accuracy of the winners. REG forced 19 Kwara Falcons turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when REG made 8 blocks. American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American-British guard Jawad Adekoya (198-1994, college: Chicago St.) responded with 15 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kwara Falcons will play next round against strong US Monastir trying to get back on the winning streak. REG will try to continue on its current victory against Douanes in Dakar.
Senegalese Douanes recorded a loss in Dakar. Hosts were defeated by Ivorian ABC 76-70. Nigerien guard Abdoulaye Harouna (196-1992, college: Miami, OH) nailed 25 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and Mike Fofana accounted for 21 points and 8 rebounds. American Marcus Crawford came up with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Douanes in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. ABC will play against REG in Kigali in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Douanes will play on the road against REG in Kigali to get more than just one victory in their record.
The game in was also quite interesting. Tunisian US Monastir played at the court of Mali Stade. US Monastir defeated Stade 78-68 on Sunday. Jerome Randle fired 18 points and 7 assists for the winners. Souleymane Berthe produced 34 points (!!!) for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. US Monastir will meet at home Kwara Falcons in the next round. Stade will play against Kwara Falcons and hope to win that game.

Group A

Douanes - ABC 70-76

Senegalese Douanes recorded a loss in Dakar. Hosts were defeated by Ivorian ABC 76-70. Nigerien guard Abdoulaye Harouna (196-1992, college: Miami, OH) nailed 25 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and American-Ivorian forward Mike Fofana (206-1997, college: HSU, agency: One Motive Sports) accounted for 21 points and 8 rebounds. American Marcus Crawford came up with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Terrell Stoglin (185-1991, college: Maryland) added 21 points respectively for Douanes in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. ABC will play against REG in Kigali in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Douanes will play on the road against REG in Kigali to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Douanes: T.Stoglin 21+1reb+1ast, C.Marcus 17+6reb+4ast, I.Ochereobia 9+9reb, M.Khaman 7+9reb, B.Jean-Jacques 5+4reb+3ast, B.Osei 4+2reb+1ast
ABC: A.Harouna 25+7reb+2ast, M.Fofana 21+8reb+1ast, S.Konate 9+7reb+2ast, A.Robinson 8+6reb+5ast, K.Ulrich 6+1ast, C.Bile 3

REG - Kwara Falcons 64-48

Rwandan REG defeated Nigerian Kwara Falcons in Kigali 64-48. REG held Kwara Falcons to an opponent 24.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 37.1 percent accuracy of the winners. REG forced 19 Kwara Falcons turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when REG made 8 blocks. American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American-British guard Jawad Adekoya (198-1994, college: Chicago St.) responded with 15 points and American forward Ruot Monyyong (210-1998, college: UALR) scored 5 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kwara Falcons will play next round against strong US Monastir trying to get back on the winning streak. REG will try to continue on its current victory against Douanes in Dakar.
Top scorers:
Kwara Falcons: J.Adekoya 15+4reb, A.Wilson 7+3reb, J.Mordi 6+5reb+3ast, R.Monyyong 5+7reb+4ast, N.Kevin 3+5reb, O.Michael 2+1reb+1ast
REG: D.Graham 16+12reb+2ast, C.Thomas 14+5reb+5ast, A.Filer 10+3reb+6ast, P.Kambuyi 7+12reb+1ast, D.Ndayisaba 7+3reb+4ast, N.Jean 4+3reb+1ast

Stade - US Monastir 68-78

The game in was also quite interesting. Tunisian US Monastir played at the court of Mali Stade. US Monastir defeated Stade 78-68 on Sunday. US Monastir made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. US Monastir had a 34-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. Ukrainian-American point guard Jerome Randle (175-1987, college: California) fired 18 points and 7 assists for the winners. Senegalese forward Ibrahima Thomas (213-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Souleymane Berthe (-2000) produced 34 points (!!!) and forward Aliou Diarra (-2001) added 14 points and 14 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. US Monastir will meet at home Kwara Falcons in the next round. Stade will play against Kwara Falcons and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Stade: B.Souleymane 34+4reb+3ast, D.Aliou 14+14reb, B.Bridgeforth 5+3reb+1ast, J.Wilkins 4+1reb+3ast, M.Keita 3+5reb+3ast, K.Amayo 2+1reb+2ast
US Monastir: J.Randle 18+4reb+7ast, O.Marnaoui 12+2reb+1ast, I.Thomas 11+10reb, F.Lahyani 9+1reb, M.Abbassi 8+7reb, A.Addami 7+1reb+1ast



Tags : DELWAN GRAHAM, RWANDA ENERGY GROUP KIGALI, BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE BASKETBALL