RBL Round 3 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with APR's defeat of Kepler

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kigali: APR (#1) and Kepler (#6). APR (5-0) crushed visiting Kepler (2-2) by 25 points 105-80. APR dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Kepler's 36. APR forced 19 Kepler turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when APR made 7 blocks. It was a good game for Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) who led his team to a victory with 27 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). International Osborn Shema (213-1998, college: Iona, agency: Highlight Athletes) contributed with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Herve Irakoze answered with 20 points and 8 rebounds for Kepler. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Kigali: REG (#2) and UGB (#7). UGB was crushed at home by 23 points 63-86 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was a great evening for the former international center Olivier Shyaka (197-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points. Espoir Aganze helped adding 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Burundian center Mohamed Doumbya (-1997) with 30 points and 8 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Another exciting game was again a derby match of two local teams from Kigali: Patriots (#3) and Tigers (#5). Patriots (3-1) won against visiting Tigers (1-3) 86-78. It was an exceptional evening for Elliott Cole who led the winners and scored 26 points. David Nickelberry came up with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for Tigers in the defeat.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 3: Kepler beat Espoir on the road 84-77. UGB lost to defending champion APR on its own court 61-86. Patriots managed to outperform Orion in Kigali 71-60. Tigers lost to undefeated REG at home 61-85.



APR - Kepler 105-80

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kigali: APR (#1) and Kepler (#6). APR (5-0) crushed visiting Kepler (2-2) by 25 points 105-80. APR dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Kepler's 36. APR forced 19 Kepler turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when APR made 7 blocks. It was a good game for Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) who led his team to a victory with 27 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). International Osborn Shema (213-1998, college: Iona, agency: Highlight Athletes) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Herve Irakoze answered with 20 points and 8 rebounds and guard Imani Rutayisire added 20 points and 5 assists in the effort for Kepler. Five APR and four Kepler players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Top scorers:
Kepler: I.Rutayisire 20+3reb+5ast, H.Irakoze 20+8reb, C.Twizeyimana 16+4reb+6ast, J.Ndoli 12+8reb, E.Kaje 7+9reb+2ast, A.Mugabe 3+1reb+6ast
APR: A.Diarra 27+8reb+2ast, O.Shema 18+10reb+3ast, A.Jackson 12+1reb+6ast, N.Habimana 12+1reb+7ast, J.Nshobozwa 11+3reb+6ast, A.Mpoyo 11+5reb

UGB - REG 63-86

Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Kigali: REG (#2) and UGB (#7). UGB was crushed at home by 23 points 63-86 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. REG made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 24 UGB turnovers. It was a great evening for the former international center Olivier Shyaka (197-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points. DR Congolese guard Espoir Aganze (188-2000, agency: Remy Munyaneza) helped adding 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four REG players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Burundian center Mohamed Doumbya (-1997) with 30 points and 8 rebounds and Thierry Nkundwa (192-2001) scored 9 points and 11 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
UGB: M.Doumbya 30+8reb+1ast, P.Kubanatubane 10+1reb+2ast, T.Nkundwa 9+11reb+1ast, D.Gatwang 4+3reb+1ast, G.Ndoba 4+2reb, E.Kayondo 4+6reb+1ast
REG: O.Shyaka 17+4reb+1ast, J.Boissy 14+1reb+3ast, E.Isezerano 10+5reb+2ast, E.Aganze 10+6reb+4ast, E.Kazeneza 7+4reb+1ast, P.Muhizi 7+6reb

Patriots - Tigers 86-78

Another exciting game was again a derby match of two local teams from Kigali: Patriots (#3) and Tigers (#5). Patriots (3-1) won against visiting Tigers (1-3) 86-78. Patriots made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Tigers turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Elliott Cole (180-1994, college: Charleston) who led the winners and scored 26 points. International Steven Hagumintwari (198-1993) accounted for 22 points for the winning side. American swingman David Nickelberry (201-1998, college: Buffalo) came up with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) added 14 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Tigers in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Tigers: F.Irutingabo 15+1reb+3ast, P.Kambuyi 14+12reb+1ast, D.Nickelberry 13+9reb+6ast, H.Ikishatse 10+4reb+4ast, B.Shema 9+2reb+3ast, A.Tsegakele 9+8reb+5ast
Patriots: E.Cole 26+3reb+3ast, S.Hagumintwari 22+4reb+2ast, B.Kamndoh 14+8reb+4ast, R.Nato 13+9reb+2ast, O.Kamilindi 8+7reb+3ast, F.Cadeaux de Dieu 3+8reb+2ast

Espoir - Kepler 77-84

No shocking result in a game when Kepler (2-2) beat Espoir (0-3) in Kigali 84-77 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for Canadian guard Chad Bowie (188-1996, college: SHSU) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 4 assists. Forward Cyiza Twizeyimana accounted for 16 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Center Fortunate Mwanawabene (-1998) came up with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Didier Shema added 18 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Espoir in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest.
Top scorers:
Espoir: F.Mwanawabene 24+5reb+6ast, D.Shema 18+8reb+1ast, E.Muhayumukiza 14+8reb, P.Nshimiyimana 6+1ast, T.Niyibizi 5+5reb, F.Muhoza 4+5reb+1ast
Kepler: C.Bowie 27+3reb+4ast, C.Twizeyimana 16+11reb+3ast, J.Ndoli 11+8reb, V.Songa 7+1reb, A.Mugabe 6+4reb+5ast, E.Kaje 6+16reb+5ast

UGB - APR 61-86

Very expected game when UGB (1-3) was smashed by APR (5-0) in Kigali 86-61 on Sunday. APR forced 19 UGB turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Axel Mpoyo (203-1997, college: GSU) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 5 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) accounted for 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. APR's coach James Maye felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Burundian center Mohamed Doumbya (-1997) came up with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and point guard Emmanuel Iyakaremye (200-1992) added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for UGB in the defeat.
Top scorers:
UGB: M.Doumbya 18+7reb+5ast, G.Ndoba 14+5reb+2ast, E.Iyakaremye 11+8reb+5ast, E.Ntayomba 7, E.Kayondo 6+10reb, R.Kizito 3+3ast
APR: A.Mpoyo 27+5reb, O.Shema 13+6reb, A.Diarra 12+6reb+2ast, A.Jackson 6+2reb+5ast, W.Robeyns 6+4reb+2ast, N.Habimana 5+6reb+7ast

Orion - Patriots 60-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Patriots' (3-1) road victory over Orion (1-3) in Kigali 71-60 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for center Betoudji Kamndoh who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 18 rebounds. American point guard Elliott Cole (180-1994, college: Charleston) accounted for 19 points and 7 assists for the winning side. Kennedy Garba came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds and Cameroonian Engelbert Beleck (192-1998) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Orion in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Orion's coach Julien Chaignot rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Orion: E.Beleck 16+6reb, K.Garba 16+14reb+1ast, H.Shyengo Elite 11+6reb, O.Kamanzi 10+7reb, J.Stubbs 7+4reb+2ast, J.Irakoze 0+5reb
Patriots: E.Cole 19+4reb+7ast, F.Cadeaux de Dieu 17+6reb+3ast, S.Hagumintwari 16+2ast, B.Kamndoh 11+18reb+2ast, J.Rukerimbere 5, R.Nato 3+8reb+3ast

Tigers - REG 61-85

Not a big story in a game when Tigers (1-3) were outscored by REG (5-0) in Kigali 85-61 on Sunday. REG forced 24 Tigers turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for Senegalese point guard Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-2000) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. The former international center Olivier Shyaka (197-1995) accounted for 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Five REG players scored in double figures. American swingman David Nickelberry (201-1998, college: Buffalo) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists and DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) added 10 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Tigers in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest.
Top scorers:
Tigers: D.Nickelberry 19+13reb+7ast, P.Niyonkuru 11+4reb+1ast, P.Kambuyi 10+10reb+2ast, A.Tsegakele 6+5reb+2ast, F.Irutingabo 6+2ast, H.Ikishatse 5+5reb+1ast
REG: C.Thomas 14+3reb+2ast, J.Boissy 14+12reb+8ast, P.Nshizirungu 11+6reb+1ast, O.Shyaka 11+8reb+1ast, J.Umuhoza 10+1reb+4ast, P.Prinsloo 9+3reb