RBL Round 17 (Regular Season): UGB edge Kepler by three points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 17 in the RBL took place in Kigali. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Kepler (5-6) to fifth ranked UGB (7-6) 79-76 in the game for the fifth place. UGB dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Kepler's 40. The best player for the winners was Ghanian James Amotoe (-1998) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Cameroonian Valentin Lele (185-2004) chipped in 32 points and 5 steals. Canadian guard Chad Bowie (188-1996, college: SHSU) produced 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. UGB maintains fifth place with 7-6 record. Kepler at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. UGB's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kigali APR.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Kigali: Patriots (#1) and Kepler (#6). Patriots (10-3) crushed visiting Kepler (5-6) by 18 points 96-78. American guard Damaria Franklin (190-1999, college: Memphis) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points. Jeffery Stubbs contributed with 12 points and 11 assists for the winners. International forward Kenny Manzi (201-2004) answered with 17 points and 8 rebounds for Kepler. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Patriots have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 10-3 record. Kepler at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Patriots' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kigali to the arena Tigers.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Kigali: APR (#3) and Azomco (#8). Azomco was crushed at home by 53 points 61-114 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Justin Uwitonze stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds for the winners. Malik Matsouka responded with 13 points and 5 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. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for APR. Defending champion maintains third place with 8-1 record having six points less than leader Patriots. Azomco lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. APR's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kigali to the arena UGB.

In the last game of round 17 EAU was defeated by Tigers in Kigali 115-106.



Patriots - Kepler 96-78

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Kigali: Patriots (#1) and Kepler (#6). Patriots (10-3) crushed visiting Kepler (5-6) by 18 points 96-78. Patriots forced 20 Kepler turnovers. American guard Damaria Franklin (190-1999, college: Memphis) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points. His fellow American import point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-1991, college: Jackson St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 assists for the winners. International forward Kenny Manzi (201-2004) answered with 17 points and 8 rebounds and Canadian guard Chad Bowie (188-1996, college: SHSU) added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Kepler. Four Kepler players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Patriots have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 10-3 record. Kepler at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Patriots' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kigali to the arena Tigers.
Top scorers:
Patriots: D.Franklin 22+2reb+2ast, H.Herve 16+4reb, S.Jeffery 12+2reb+11ast, D.Shema 9+5reb, S.Bruno 9+2reb+2ast, C.Garba 8+11reb
Kepler: M.Kenny 17+8reb+3ast, T.Cyiza 17+2reb+1ast, C.Bowie 12+6reb+7ast, K.Elie 10+4reb+1ast, J.Newby 7+7reb+4ast, M.Jonathan 5+1reb

Azomco - APR 61-114

Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Kigali: APR (#3) and Azomco (#8). Azomco was crushed at home by 53 points 61-114 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. APR forced 19 Azomco turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Azomco's players. The former international Justin Uwitonze (191-2001) stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds for the winners and naturalized Canadian guard Jean-Victor Mukama (203-1994, college: TMU) chipped in 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Malik Matsouka responded with 13 points and 5 rebounds and Jarode Aworet (-2001) scored 4 points and 10 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. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for APR. Defending champion maintains third place with 8-1 record having six points less than leader Patriots. Azomco lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. APR's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kigali to the arena UGB.
Top scorers:
APR: J.Uwitonze 34+7reb, R.William 21+1reb+2ast, P.Twa 12+2reb+6ast, M.Jean-Victor 11+12reb+4ast, I.Otobo 8+13reb+5ast, F.Adonis 6+3reb+5ast
Azomco: M.Malik 13+5reb+3ast, N.Theogene 10+3reb+1ast, M.Jordan 7+6reb, M.Byambo 7+6reb+2ast, K.Topaz 6+4reb+1ast, N.Patrick 6+6reb+3ast

Tigers - EAU 115-106

There was no surprise in Kigali where 7th ranked EAU (5-8) was defeated by fourth ranked Tigers (7-1) 115-106 on Wednesday. Tigers forced 20 EAU turnovers and outrebounded them 50-38 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tigers looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tigers made 10 blocks. The former international Paul Bizimana (206-2003, college: Cal Poly) stepped up and scored 31 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and American forward Anthony Tarke (201-1998, college: Coppin St.) chipped in 19 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. South Sudanese swingman Ruai Luak (198-2004) responded with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and Ben Ndayishimiye Cyiza scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Five Tigers and four EAU players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Tigers. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 7-1 record. Newly promoted EAU keeps the seventh position with eight games lost. Tigers' 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:
Tigers: P.Bizimana 31+7reb+3ast, T.Anthony 19+11reb+9ast, I.Lars 18+6reb+8ast, S.Hagumintwari 18+4reb+2ast, O.Shyaka 17+8reb+3ast, F.Irutingabo 5+4reb+1ast
EAU: R.Luak 26+7reb+5ast, C.Ben Ndayishimiye 22+6reb+2ast, T.Fabrice 13+6reb+2ast, N.Yamin 13+5reb, H.Elite 9+3reb, N.Niyizibyose 8+3reb+2ast

Kepler - UGB 76-79

The most exciting game of round 17 in the RBL took place in Kigali. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Kepler (5-6) to fifth ranked UGB (7-6) 79-76 in the game for the fifth place. UGB dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Kepler's 40. The best player for the winners was Ghanian James Amotoe (-1998) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Cameroonian Valentin Lele (185-2004) chipped in 32 points and 5 steals. Canadian guard Chad Bowie (188-1996, college: SHSU) produced 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and forward Cyiza Twizeyimana added 15 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Kepler players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. UGB maintains fifth place with 7-6 record. Kepler at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. UGB's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kigali APR.
Top scorers:
UGB: V.Lele 32+4reb, J.Amotoe 29+14reb+4ast, S.Perriere 6+5reb+1ast, D.Tuyizere 3+9reb+1ast, T.Nkundwa 3+3reb+1ast, G.Ndoba 2+3reb
Kepler: J.Newby 18+3reb+2ast, T.Cyiza 15+10reb+2ast, C.Bowie 15+7reb+7ast, K.Elie 10+4reb+3ast, N.Pacifique 9+6reb+1ast, R.Imani 5+4reb+1ast