RBL Round 24 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Second defeat of league's leader APR (16-2) against first ranked Patriots (16-1) 77-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of APR. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Patriots forced 19 APR turnovers. It was a good game for American forward William Perry (183-1994, college: Lenoir-Rhyne) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 8 rebounds. The other American import guard Stephaun Branch (196-1995, college: UWG) contributed with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Isaiah Miller (183-1998, college: UNCG) replied with 25 points and 6 rebounds for APR. APR's coach Cliff Owuor rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Patriots have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 16-1 record. Defending champion APR dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Patriots.
Patriots (16-1) recorded its first loss in Kigali. Visitors were edged by third ranked REG (15-4) 86-83. It ended at the same time the 16-game winning streak of Patriots. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 assists and Kendall Gray who added 14 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Stephaun Branch (196-1995, college: UWG) with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. REG have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-4 record behind leader Patriots. Patriots at the other side still keep top place with one game lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kigali: REG (#3) and Espoir (#5). Espoir was smashed at home by 22 points 71-93 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The winners were led by Cleveland Thomas who scored that evening 27 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. REG's coach Charles Mushumba felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 23 points and 17 rebounds by Ronald Nato did not help to save the game for Espoir. REG have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-4 record behind leader Patriots. Espoir lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with nine games lost.




Espoir - REG 71-93

Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kigali: REG (#3) and Espoir (#5). Espoir was smashed at home by 22 points 71-93 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. REG forced 25 Espoir turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) who scored that evening 27 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals and international center Kendall Gray (208-1992, college: Delaware St.) supported him with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Four REG players scored in double figures. REG's coach Charles Mushumba felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 23 points and 17 rebounds by Chadian forward Ronald Nato (199-1992) did not help to save the game for Espoir. Fortunate Mwanawabene added 5 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. REG have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-4 record behind leader Patriots. Espoir lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Espoir: R.Nato 23+17reb+3ast, D.Shema 12+3reb+2ast, O.Turatsinze 10+3reb+3ast, F.Muhoza 8+4reb, E.Muhayumukiza 7+4reb+1ast, F.Mwanawabene 5+8reb+5ast
REG: C.Thomas 27+7reb+7ast, J.Umuhoza 13+2reb+3ast, K.Gray 12+11reb, P.Kambuyi 12+10reb, P.Muhizi 8+5reb+2ast, P.Niyonkuru 7+1reb

Patriots - APR 77-70

Second defeat of league's leader APR (16-2) against first ranked Patriots (16-1) 77-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of APR. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Patriots forced 19 APR turnovers. It was a good game for American forward William Perry (183-1994, college: Lenoir-Rhyne) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 8 rebounds. The other American import guard Stephaun Branch (196-1995, college: UWG) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Patriots players scored in double figures. American point guard Isaiah Miller (183-1998, college: UNCG) replied with 25 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Ntore Habimana (196-1997, college: Laurier) added 12 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for APR. APR's coach Cliff Owuor rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Patriots have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 16-1 record. Defending champion APR dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Patriots.
Top scorers:
APR: I.Miller 25+6reb+3ast, N.Habimana 12+11reb+2ast, A.Diarra 11+9reb, N.Wilson 8+6reb+3ast, A.Mpoyo 6+2reb+1ast, W.Robeyns 5+4reb+5ast
Patriots: W.Perry 21+8reb+3ast, S.Branch 15+12reb+3ast, D.Ndizeye 12+11reb+2ast, S.Hagumintwari 11+5reb+3ast, B.Kamndoh 9+7reb+2ast, F.Cadeaux de Dieu 6+10reb

REG - Patriots 86-83

Patriots (16-1) recorded its first loss in Kigali. Visitors were edged by third ranked REG (15-4) 86-83. It ended at the same time the 16-game winning streak of Patriots. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 assists and international center Kendall Gray (208-1992, college: Delaware St.) who added 14 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Five REG players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Stephaun Branch (196-1995, college: UWG) with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import forward William Perry (183-1994, college: Lenoir-Rhyne) scored 25 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. REG have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-4 record behind leader Patriots. Patriots at the other side still keep top place with one game lost.
Top scorers:
Patriots: W.Perry 25+1reb+5ast, S.Branch 24+8reb+5ast, D.Ndizeye 9+5reb+4ast, S.Hagumintwari 6+1reb+1ast, O.Kamilindi 4+4reb, K.Gasana 4+4reb+2ast
REG: C.Thomas 24+3reb+6ast, J.Mukama 14+3reb+1ast, K.Gray 14+11reb+2ast, P.Muhizi 12+7reb, J.Umuhoza 11+4reb+4ast, P.Kambuyi 6+7reb+1ast