RBL Round 9 (Regular Season): APR keep a leadership position

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked APR as it allowed them to take a leadership position. APR defeated 6th ranked UGB in Kigali 90-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of UGB. The best player for the winners was American Craig Randall II (193-1996, college: UT Martin) who scored 36 points (!!!) and 6 steals. His fellow American import forward Teafale Lenard Jr (203-2002, college: Memphis) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Ghanian James Amotoe (-1998) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. APR (6-1) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. UGB at the other side keeps the sixth place with four games lost. They share the position with Kepler. UGB will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. APR will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked REG. It will be extra interesting game as REG is their local rival from Kigali.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Kigali: Patriots (#5) and REG (#2). Patriots (4-3) won against visiting REG (5-2) 85-78. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of REG. It was a good game for American guard Damaria Franklin (190-1999, college: Memphis) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 11 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Jeffery Stubbs contributed with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. DR Congolese forward Frank Betoudji (201-1998) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for REG. REG's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Patriots moved-up to fourth place. REG at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. Patriots' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kigali Inspired Gen..
Bottom-ranked Inspired Gen. (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-67 loss to sixth ranked EAU (3-3) in Kigali on Wednesday evening. Ronald Nato stepped up and scored 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Jean Mouandjo with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. EAU moved-up to fifth place. Inspired Gen. lost their seventh game in a row. Inspired Gen. at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with seven games lost. EAU's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kigali to the arena Tigers.

In the last game of round 9 winless Inspired Gen. was crushed by Kepler in Kigali 99-46.



EAU - Inspired Gen. 97-67

Bottom-ranked Inspired Gen. (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-67 loss to sixth ranked EAU (3-3) in Kigali on Wednesday evening. They also forced 21 Inspired Gen. turnovers. EAU looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Chadian forward Ronald Nato (199-1992) stepped up and scored 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Ben Ndayishimiye Cyiza chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. Five EAU players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Cameroonian forward Jean Mouandjo (200-2003) with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and Samuel Asiribo scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. EAU moved-up to fifth place. Inspired Gen. lost their seventh game in a row. Inspired Gen. at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with seven games lost. EAU's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kigali to the arena Tigers.
Top scorers:
EAU: R.Nato 19+7reb+2ast, L.Ruai 16+3reb+1ast, B.Cyiza 15+5reb+3ast, J.Rukerimbere 11+5ast, N.Niyizibyose 11+3reb+2ast, Y.Niyubahwe 10+6reb
Inspired Gen.: M.Jean 23+14reb+4ast, A.Samuel 14+7reb, K.Philippe 9+3reb+2ast, N.Desire 6+8reb+2ast, L.Joseph 5+5reb+5ast, R.Patrick 4+1reb

APR - UGB 90-85

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked APR as it allowed them to take a leadership position. APR defeated 6th ranked UGB in Kigali 90-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of UGB. The best player for the winners was American Craig Randall II (193-1996, college: UT Martin) who scored 36 points (!!!) and 6 steals. His fellow American import forward Teafale Lenard Jr (203-2002, college: Memphis) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. Randall II is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was Ghanian James Amotoe (-1998) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and Burundian forward Mohamed Doumbya (202-1997) added 25 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. APR (6-1) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. UGB at the other side keeps the sixth place with four games lost. They share the position with Kepler. UGB will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. APR will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked REG. It will be extra interesting game as REG is their local rival from Kigali.
Top scorers:
APR: R.Craig 36+1reb+3ast, L.Teafale 16+8reb+3ast, N.Dieudonne 9+4reb, M.Jean-Victor 6+2reb+1ast, I.Otobo 6+8reb+1ast, C.Ruta 5+3reb+1ast
UGB: A.James 33+8reb+2ast, M.Doumbya 25+11reb+1ast, K.Bryan 8+2reb+1ast, K.Eric 5+1reb+1ast, L.Valentin 5+3reb+3ast, I.Hilar 4+7reb

Kepler - Inspired Gen. 99-46

There was no surprise in Kigali where bottom-ranked Inspired Gen. (0-7) was crushed by seventh ranked Kepler (3-4) 99-46 on Friday. Kepler dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Inspired Gen.'s 20. Kepler forced 25 Inspired Gen. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Inspired Gen.'s players. International forward Kenny Manzi (201-2004) stepped up and scored 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and Mali power forward Abdoul Keita (208-2006) chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Cameroonian forward Jean Mouandjo (200-2003) with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds and Samuel Asiribo scored 12 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. Kepler moved-up to sixth place, which they share with UGB. Inspired Gen. lost their seventh game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with seven games lost. Kepler's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kigali Azomco.
Top scorers:
Kepler: K.Manzi 22+8reb+3ast, A.Keita 19+10reb+3ast, N.Jabs 11+7reb+6ast, C.Twizeyimama 9+5reb+2ast, B.Chad 8+2reb+9ast, P.Gakuba 7+2reb
Inspired Gen.: A.Samuel 12+8reb, M.Jean 10+10reb+3ast, L.Joseph 8+3reb+3ast, I.Heritier 6+1reb, U.King 3+3reb, K.Philippe 3+2reb+2ast

Patriots - REG 85-78

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Kigali: Patriots (#5) and REG (#2). Patriots (4-3) won against visiting REG (5-2) 85-78. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of REG. Patriots made 18-of-22 charity shots (81.8 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American guard Damaria Franklin (190-1999, college: Memphis) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 11 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). His fellow American import point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-1991, college: Jackson St.) contributed with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. DR Congolese forward Frank Betoudji (201-1998) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks and American point guard Cole Elliot (180-1994, college: Charleston) added 20 points in the effort for REG. REG's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Patriots moved-up to fourth place. REG at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. Patriots' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kigali Inspired Gen..
Top scorers:
Patriots: D.Franklin 30+11reb+1ast, S.Jeffery 30+7reb+4ast, H.Kwizera 11+7reb+1ast, N.Elias 6+4reb+1ast, H.Herve 4+2reb, R.Bizimungu 2+3reb
REG: E.Cole 20+2reb+1ast, B.Frank 15+12reb+4ast, M.Prince 13+2reb, I.Enock 9+3reb+1ast, N.Patrick 8+7reb+4ast, U.Jean 7+4reb+4ast