D1 Round 9 of Regular Season

Elie Kaje

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

First defeat of league's leader Patriots (12-1) against fourth ranked IPRC-Kigali (6-6) 81-78 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Patriots. IPRC-Kigali forced 21 Patriots turnovers. It was a good game for Fiston Irutingabo (-96) who led his team to a victory with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Enock Isezerano (-95) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. IPRC-Kigali's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. International Steven Hagumintwari (198-93) answered with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Patriots. IPRC-Kigali maintains fourth place with 6-6 record, which they share with APR. Defending champion Patriots dropped to the second position with one game lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by REG. Patriots will play next round against strong Espoir trying to make it back to the top of the standings. IPRC-Kigali will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked UGB at home.
Important game to mention about took place in . Seventh ranked IPRC-South (4-7) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Rusizi (3-10) 71-70 on Saturday evening. Armand Cyubahiro (-97) stepped up and scored 27 points for the winners and Medard Muberwa chipped in 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. The best for the losing side was Daniel Nsabimana (-90) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. IPRC-South have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Rusizi lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with ten games lost. IPRC-South will play against league's leader REG in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rusizi will have a break next round.
An interesting game for REG (13-1) which played road game in against 4th placed APR (6-6). Second ranked REG had an easy win 82-63. Elie Kaje nailed a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Parfait Ishimwe came up with 18 points and 5 rebounds for APR in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. REG have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. APR at the other side keeps the fourth place with six games lost. They share the position with IPRC-Kigali. REG will meet at home IPRC-South (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. APR will play against UR and hope to secure a win.
Bottom-ranked UR is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 12th consecutive match to eighth ranked Rusizi (3-10) 76-58. The best player for the winners was Daniel Nsabimana who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 22 rebounds. Rusizi maintains eighth place with 3-10 record. Newly promoted UR still closes the standings with 12 games lost. Rusizi will have a break next round. UR will play against APR (#5) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last game of round 9 UGB was beaten by Espoir on the road 72-65.