RBL Round 6 (Regular Season): APR hands first loss to REG

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of REG (6-1) in Kigali on Friday night. Hosts were edged by APR (7-0) 64-61. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of REG. It was a key game for the top position in the league. APR made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international point guard Antino Jackson (182-1996, college: N.Mexico) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 5 assists. The former international guard Jean Nshobozwa (193-1998) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Senegalese point guard Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-2000) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for REG. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated APR have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 7-0 record. REG at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost.
Important game to mention about took place in Kigali. Sixth ranked UGB (4-3) saved a 1-point derby victory at home edging 5th ranked Tigers (3-4) 76-75 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tigers. Burundian center Mohamed Doumbya (-1997) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Steven-Emile Perriere chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks. Tigers' coach Henry Mwinuka rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. UGB have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Tigers at the other side keep the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Kepler.
A very close game took place in Kigali (derby !!!) between UGB and Espoir. Sixth ranked UGB (4-3) got a very close victory on the road over 8th ranked Espoir (1-6). UGB managed to escape with a 2-point win 64-62 on Friday evening. Mohamed Doumbya notched 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals to lead the effort. UGB's coach Yves Murenzi used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Even a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds by Franck Nyembo did not help to save the game for Espoir. UGB have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Espoir lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with six games lost.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 6: Orion was beaten by Tigers on the road 81-74. Orion won against Azomco on its own court 87-84. Patriots managed to outperform Kepler in Kigali 84-67.
The most impressive performance of 6th round was 26 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists by Elliott Cole of Patriots.



Espoir - UGB 62-64

A very close game took place in Kigali (derby !!!) between UGB and Espoir. Sixth ranked UGB (4-3) got a very close victory on the road over 8th ranked Espoir (1-6). UGB managed to escape with a 2-point win 64-62 on Friday evening. UGB forced 27 Espoir turnovers. Burundian center Mohamed Doumbya (-1997) notched 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals to lead the effort and French-Central African power forward Steven-Emile Perriere (203-1995, college: LMU) supported him with 8 points and 16 rebounds. UGB's coach Yves Murenzi used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Even a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds by DR Congolese Franck Nyembo (-2006) did not help to save the game for Espoir. Taariq Powell added 19 points. UGB have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Espoir lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Espoir: T.Powell 19+2reb+2ast, F.Nyembo 13+11reb+2ast, E.Muhayumukiza 9+8reb+1ast, D.Shema 8+4reb+2ast, J.de Dieu Niyungeho 6+7reb+5ast, F.Mwanawabene 5+5reb+1ast
UGB: M.Doumbya 22+5reb+5ast, E.Iyakaremye 9+4reb+2ast, S.Perriere 8+16reb+2ast, D.Gatwang 7+2reb+1ast, E.Kayondo 7+7reb+1ast, T.Nkundwa 6+4reb+2ast

Tigers - Orion 81-74

Everything could happen in Kigali at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Tigers and 7th ranked Orion had identical 2-4 record. This time Tigers used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Kigali 81-74 on Friday night. American swingman David Nickelberry (201-1998, college: Buffalo) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) supported him with 8 points and 19 rebounds. Even a double-double of 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks by Kennedy Garba did not help to save the game for Orion. American point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-1991, college: Jackson St.) added 22 points and 4 assists. Tigers maintains fifth position with 3-4 record, which they share with Kepler. Orion lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Orion: K.Garba 27+12reb, J.Stubbs 22+3reb+4ast, H.Shyengo Elite 9+6reb, E.Beleck 7+5reb+2ast, J.Irakoze 6+5reb+2ast, O.Kamanzi 2+7reb+1ast
Tigers: D.Nickelberry 27+10reb+2ast, P.Niyonkuru 15+6reb+2ast, S.Smith 13+4reb+9ast, P.Kambuyi 8+19reb+1ast, D.Manzi Kimasa 7+2reb, B.Nkanira 5+4reb+2ast

REG - APR 61-64

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of REG (6-1) in Kigali on Friday night. Hosts were edged by APR (7-0) 64-61. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of REG. It was a key game for the top position in the league. APR made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international point guard Antino Jackson (182-1996, college: N.Mexico) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 5 assists. The former international guard Jean Nshobozwa (193-1998) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Senegalese point guard Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-2000) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and the former international center Olivier Shyaka (197-1995) added 15 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for REG. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. APR have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 7-0 record. REG at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost.
Top scorers:
REG: J.Boissy 22+8reb+2ast, O.Shyaka 15+7reb, P.Muhizi 7+7reb+1ast, E.Kazeneza 5+11reb, C.Thomas 4+9reb+3ast, P.Nshizirungu 2+3reb+1ast
APR: A.Jackson 18+4reb+5ast, J.Nshobozwa 15+8reb+3ast, A.Mpoyo 11+9reb, N.Habimana 9+5reb+1ast, O.Shema 4+8reb, J.Mukama 4+12reb+1ast

Orion - Azomco 87-84

Rather expected game when bottom-ranked Azomco (0-7) was edged by seventh ranked Orion (2-5) in Kigali 87-84 on Sunday. Kennedy Garba notched a double-double by scoring 32 points and 15 rebounds to lead the effort and American point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-1991, college: Jackson St.) supported him with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals. Even 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists by Mosley Prentise did not help to save the game for Azomco. Byambo McBright added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Orion maintains seventh position with 2-5 record. Newly promoted Azomco still closes the standings with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Azomco: M.Prentise 25+7reb+7ast, B.McBright 19+8reb+1ast, B.Kalisa 16+3reb+1ast, J.Aworet 15+6reb+4ast, B.Mugisha 9+7reb+4ast, P.Rugamba 0+2reb+1ast
Orion: K.Garba 32+15reb+3ast, J.Stubbs 18+6reb+8ast, H.Shyengo Elite 15+5reb+2ast, P.Rurangirwa 11+6reb+1ast, J.Irakoze 6+6reb, L.Hitayezu 5+8reb+1ast

UGB - Tigers 76-75

Important game to mention about took place in Kigali. Sixth ranked UGB (4-3) saved a 1-point derby victory at home edging 5th ranked Tigers (3-4) 76-75 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tigers. UGB players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Burundian center Mohamed Doumbya (-1997) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and French-Central African power forward Steven-Emile Perriere (203-1995, college: LMU) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks and American swingman David Nickelberry (201-1998, college: Buffalo) scored 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Tigers' coach Henry Mwinuka rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. UGB have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Tigers at the other side keep the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Kepler.
Top scorers:
Tigers: P.Kambuyi 17+16reb+1ast, L.Ishimwe 10+6reb+1ast, D.Nickelberry 10+6reb+4ast, D.Manzi Kimasa 10+6reb, B.Nkanira 9+2reb+3ast, F.Irutingabo 8+5reb+2ast
UGB: M.Doumbya 18+10reb+8ast, S.Perriere 17+5reb+3ast, T.Nkundwa 15+6reb+3ast, E.Iyakaremye 12+5reb+5ast, E.Kayondo 7+5reb+1ast, R.Kizito 3+1reb+3ast

Kepler - Patriots 67-84

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Patriots' (5-1) road victory over 4th ranked Kepler (3-4) in Kigali 84-67 on Sunday. American point guard Elliott Cole (180-1994, college: Charleston) notched 26 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the effort and center Betoudji Kamndoh supported him with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 16 points and 9 rebounds by forward Cyiza Twizeyimana did not help to save the game for Kepler. The former international point guard Olivier Turatsinze (185-2001) added 14 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Patriots have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 5-1 record having just three points less than leader APR. Loser Kepler dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with Tigers.
Top scorers:
Kepler: C.Twizeyimana 16+9reb+3ast, O.Turatsinze 14+3reb+4ast, E.Kaje 9+9reb+2ast, C.Bowie 9+5reb+4ast, J.Ndoli 4+3reb, J.Mugabo 4+6reb
Patriots: E.Cole 26+6reb+9ast, R.Nato 14+7reb, B.Kamndoh 10+10reb+4ast, O.Kamilindi 8+4reb+2ast, E.Ishimwe 7+1ast, F.Cadeaux de Dieu 6+10reb