Friday

Patriots 87-74 APR

American guard Michael Dixon scored game high 20 points to inspire Patriots to an emphatic 87-74 win over APR in the basketball league game held Friday night at Lycée de Kigali gymnasium.

It was a full house as basketball enthusiasts crowded the venue to witness what looked like the game of the second round between two teams which reinforced their rosters with major trades from each side.

Patriots introduced new signings Dixon, Rwandan-Canadian Jean Victor Mukama and Sudanese-Lebanese Center Ater Majok in the starting five against an APR side whose new faces Prince Ibeh and De Marcus Holland who were key to beating Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 73-63 on Wednesday.

Patriots had a bright start to the game, taking two first quarters 24-16 and 28-13 to open an 23 point lead over the military side. With a 52-29 lead at the break, Patriots were obviously favorites to win the game.

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Back in the second half, APR players tried to regroup in an attempt to fight back with more energy. They went on to win the third quarter 26-19, but they failed to maintain the momentum in the final quarter, losing it 19-16 to suffer the third defeat of the season.

Michael Dixon, who was at the top of his game, scored 20 points and added 5 rebounds, while Steven Hagumintwali and Dieudonné Ndizeye scored 14 and 13 points respectively to help Henry Mwinuka’s side down an APR side which is arguably one of the title favorites.

"Well done to my men, this is a wonderful job. Dixon was in clinical form today, every player gave it all for the win,” a visibly excited Mwinuka said in a post-game interview with Times Sport.

Early on Friday night, resting star men Adonis Filer didn’t stop REG from easing past IPRC-Huye 95-67.

REG are now at the top the table with 40 points and are level on point with second-placed Patriots while APR are in third place with 39 points.