RBL Round 11 (Regular Season): Tigers beat Orion in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kigali: Tigers (#4) and Orion (#7). Orion was defeated at home 70-80 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Tigers made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Orion turnovers. The best player for the winners was American swingman David Nickelberry (201-1998, college: Buffalo) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) chipped in 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tigers' coach Henry Mwinuka used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cameroonian Engelbert Beleck (192-1998) produced 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Tigers have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 7-5 record. Orion lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Kigali: APR (#1) and REG (#2). APR (14-0) won against visiting REG (8-3) 69-62. Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks. Jordan McRae contributed with 16 points and 6 assists for the winners. The former international Prince Muhizi (-1996) answered with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for REG. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Undefeated APR have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 14-0 record. REG at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Patriots.
Another exciting game was again a derby match of two local teams from Kigali: UGB (#5) and Azomco (#8). UGB (5-6) crushed visiting Azomco (2-9) by 32 points 106-74. It was a great evening for Mark Burton who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Coach Yves Murenzi's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players saving starting five for next games. Richard Bizimungu responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. UGB maintains fifth place with 5-6 record. Newly promoted Azomco keeps the eighth position with nine games lost.

In the last two games of round 11 Orion defeated Kepler in Kigali 83-77. Patriots smashed Espoir at home 97-71.
The best stats of 11th round was 26 points and 11 rebounds by Franck Nyembo of Espoir.



Orion - Tigers 70-80

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kigali: Tigers (#4) and Orion (#7). Orion was defeated at home 70-80 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Tigers made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Orion turnovers. The best player for the winners was American swingman David Nickelberry (201-1998, college: Buffalo) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. DR Congolese center Pitchou Kambuyi (208-1988) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tigers' coach Henry Mwinuka used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cameroonian Engelbert Beleck (192-1998) produced 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Kennedy Garba added 19 points and 16 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Tigers have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 7-5 record. Orion lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Tigers: D.Nickelberry 28+12reb+4ast, P.Kambuyi 15+12reb+2ast, L.Ishimwe 11+6reb+1ast, P.Niyonkuru 7+2reb+1ast, B.Shema 6+2reb, S.Smith 5+4reb+3ast
Orion: E.Beleck 24+8reb+4ast, K.Garba 19+16reb, J.Stubbs 14+9reb+7ast, O.Kamanzi 5+2reb, J.Irakoze 3+2reb, H.Shyengo Elite 3+1reb

APR - REG 69-62

Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Kigali: APR (#1) and REG (#2). APR (14-0) won against visiting REG (8-3) 69-62. APR had a 39-28 advantage in offensive rebounds. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Mali forward Aliou Diarra (200-2001) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks. American swingman Jordan McRae (197-1991, college: Tennessee) contributed with 16 points and 6 assists for the winners. The former international Prince Muhizi (-1996) answered with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Senegalese point guard Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-2000) added 18 points and 4 assists in the effort for REG. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. APR have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 14-0 record. REG at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Patriots.
Top scorers:
APR: A.Diarra 18+16reb+2ast, J.McRae 16+4reb+6ast, W.Robeyns 10+4reb+1ast, A.Mpoyo 8+6reb+3ast, J.Uwitonze 6+1reb, J.Nshobozwa 6+3reb+2ast
REG: P.Muhizi 20+6reb+4ast, J.Boissy 18+4reb+4ast, O.Shyaka 7+9reb, E.Kazeneza 6+11reb+1ast, P.Prinsloo 3+2reb, E.Aganze 3+4reb+1ast

UGB - Azomco 106-74

Another exciting game was again a derby match of two local teams from Kigali: UGB (#5) and Azomco (#8). UGB (5-6) crushed visiting Azomco (2-9) by 32 points 106-74. UGB dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Azomco's 30. They outrebounded Azomco 61-40 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. UGB looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Azomco's players. It was a great evening for American point guard Mark Burton (183-1998, college: Fayetteville St., agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Amatoe Kofi helped adding 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Coach Yves Murenzi's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players saving starting five for next games. Richard Bizimungu responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds and Jarode Aworet (-2001) scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Azomco players scored in double figures. UGB maintains fifth place with 5-6 record. Newly promoted Azomco keeps the eighth position with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
UGB: M.Burton 28+7reb+10ast, A.Kofi 22+11reb+4ast, S.Perriere 14+13reb+3ast, E.Iyakaremye 9+1reb+2ast, E.Kayondo 8+5reb+2ast, L.Mugalu 8+4reb
Azomco: R.Bizimungu 19+15reb+3ast, D.Franklin 16+3reb, J.Aworet 12+9reb+1ast, D.Shema 12+1ast, B.McBright 9+5reb, B.Kalisa 6+4reb

Kepler - Orion 77-83

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Kigali where 6th ranked Kepler (3-7) was defeated by seventh ranked Orion (4-8) 83-77 on Sunday. Orion made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game, while Kepler only scored five points from the stripe. Orion forced 19 Kepler turnovers. It was a great evening for American point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-1991, college: Jackson St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 assists. Cameroonian Engelbert Beleck (192-1998) helped adding 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Canadian guard Chad Bowie (188-1996, college: SHSU) responded with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Central African guard Kurt-Curry Wegscheider (196-2001, college: LCU) scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Kepler's coach Juruni Lutwama rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Orion moved-up to sixth place. Kepler lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Orion: J.Stubbs 27+3reb+11ast, E.Beleck 20+8reb+5ast, P.Ishimwe 12+4reb, K.Garba 9+16reb+2ast, O.Kamanzi 9+4reb, J.Irakoze 4+1reb+1ast
Kepler: C.Bowie 24+8reb+7ast, K.Wegscheider 17+9reb+2ast, C.Twizeyimana 9+6reb+2ast, H.Irakoze 7+3reb+1ast, J.Ndoli 7+4reb+1ast, E.Kaje 5+5reb+1ast

Patriots - Espoir 97-71

No shocking result in a game in Kigali where third ranked Patriots (8-3) smashed bottom-ranked Espoir (1-11) 97-71 on Sunday. Patriots made 24-of-31 free shots (77.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Espoir turnovers and outrebounded them 51-32 including a 35-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for Chadian forward Ronald Nato (199-1992) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Betoudji Kamndoh helped adding 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). DR Congolese Franck Nyembo (-2006) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds and center Fortunate Mwanawabene (-1998) scored 22 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Patriots. They moved-up to second place, which they share with REG. Espoir lost their eighth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
Patriots: R.Nato 20+7reb+4ast, B.Kamndoh 16+9reb+4ast, E.Cole 11+1reb+1ast, J.Rukerimbere 11+1reb, S.Hagumintwari 9+7reb, T.Gatsinzi 7+4reb+1ast
Espoir: F.Nyembo 26+11reb+2ast, F.Mwanawabene 22+2reb+2ast, N.Gakuru 8+2reb+1ast, F.Muhoza 6+7reb, J.de Dieu Niyungeho 6+4reb+2ast, D.Shema 2+3reb+1ast