Sunday

Rusizi vs 30-Plus 9amIPRC-South vs Espoir 12pm

Friday

Patriots 73-61 UGBREG 81-61 APR

Shooting guard Benjamin Mukengerwa scored a game high 18 points and Kami Kabange added 13 points as Rwanda Energy Group (REG) basketball club maintained their irresistible form in overcoming APR 81-61 to take another stride towards the league title.

Kabange, Patrick Nshizirungu and Beievenu Ngandu combined for 39 points as Jean Bahufite’s high-flying side picked two crucial points against the former champions on Friday night at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

REG remain on top of the league table with 29 points, one ahead of defending champions Patriots, who beat United Generation Basketball (UGB) club 73-61 on Friday, are in second place with four games remaining.

APR, who have played a game less, remain in the fifth place with 21 points, level with seventh-placed UGB as the battle for playoff spots rages on.

Cliff Owuor’s APR were looking to win the game to boost their chances of finishing in the top four, while REG went into the game knowing only victory would restore their one-point lead at the summit given the fact that their closest challengers Patriots had played earlier and won.

Led by Mukengerwa and Kabange, REG comfortably dominated the first three quarters; 21-12, 23-8 and 23-20 respectively before Owuor’s youthful APR fought back to claim the fourth 21-14 but it was a case of too little too late to turn the game back in their favour.

The trio of Kabange, Nshizirungu and Ngandu contributed 13 points each for REG, while Eric Munyaneza was APR’s top scorer with 14 points while Parfait Ishimwe dropped 11 points.

On Sunday, third-placed Espoir have a tricky away game against IPRC-South, who are sixth, in Huye, while Rusizi basketball club (8th) will host ninth-placed 30-Plus in Rusizi.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw