RBL Round 7 (Regular Season): APR defeat Patriots in the closest game of the week

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 7 in the RBL took place in Kigali. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Patriots (5-2) to leader APR (8-0) 68-67 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Patriots. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when APR made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. The former international Ntore Habimana (196-1997, college: Laurier) helped adding 13 points and 9 rebounds. APR's coach James Maye used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side Chadian forward Ronald Nato (199-1992) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Undefeated APR have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-0 record. Patriots at the other side keep the third position with two games lost.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Kigali: Orion (#7) and Espoir (#8). Orion (3-5) crushed visiting Espoir (1-7) by 27 points 90-63. It was an exceptional evening for Kennedy Garba who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 29 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jeffery Stubbs accounted for 26 points and 5 assists (made all of his eight free throws). Center Fortunate Mwanawabene (-1998) came up with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Espoir in the defeat. Orion maintains seventh place with 3-5 record. Espoir lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost.




Orion - Espoir 90-63

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Kigali: Orion (#7) and Espoir (#8). Orion (3-5) crushed visiting Espoir (1-7) by 27 points 90-63. Orion dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Espoir's 38. They outrebounded Espoir 59-47 including a 45-30 advantage in defensive rebounds. Orion brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for Kennedy Garba who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 29 rebounds and 4 blocks. American point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-1991, college: Jackson St.) accounted for 26 points and 5 assists (made all of his eight free throws) for the winning side. Four Orion players scored in double figures. Center Fortunate Mwanawabene (-1998) came up with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and DR Congolese Franck Nyembo (-2006) added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Espoir in the defeat. Orion maintains seventh place with 3-5 record. Espoir lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Orion: K.Garba 28+29reb+1ast, J.Stubbs 26+3reb+5ast, H.Shyengo Elite 13+4reb+2ast, E.Beleck 12+12reb+8ast, J.Irakoze 6+5reb, P.Rurangirwa 3
Espoir: F.Mwanawabene 23+5reb+4ast, F.Nyembo 14+9reb+4ast, E.Muhayumukiza 9+7reb+2ast, F.Muhoza 8+9reb+1ast, D.Shema 5+5reb+2ast, T.Powell 4+7reb+1ast

APR - Patriots 68-67

The most exciting game of round 7 in the RBL took place in Kigali. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Patriots (5-2) to leader APR (8-0) 68-67 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Patriots. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when APR made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. The former international Ntore Habimana (196-1997, college: Laurier) helped adding 13 points and 9 rebounds. APR's coach James Maye used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side Chadian forward Ronald Nato (199-1992) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and international Steven Hagumintwari (198-1993) scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Patriots players scored in double figures. APR have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-0 record. Patriots at the other side keep the third position with two games lost.
Top scorers:
APR: A.Diarra 29+15reb, N.Habimana 13+9reb+3ast, W.Robeyns 7+2reb+3ast, A.Mpoyo 5+8reb+1ast, O.Shema 5+5reb+2ast, A.Filer Jovon 5+1reb+1ast
Patriots: R.Nato 15+10reb+4ast, E.Cole 14+1reb+5ast, O.Kamilindi 13+1reb+3ast, S.Hagumintwari 13+7reb, B.Kamndoh 10+1reb, B.Nyamwasa 2+1reb+1ast