PHOTOS: Playoffs: Nshobozwa posts 20 points as APR beat Patriots in Game 1

Wednesday results Men APR 69-59 Patriots REG 85 - 79 Espoir Star point guard Jean-Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was at the top of his game as his game high 20 points inspired APR basketball club to a convincing 69-59 victory over Patriots on Wednesday night, August 23, to take Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal playoffs series. The opening games of the playoffs at BK Arena were shaped by tight competition given that, among other reasons, the champions will represent Rwanda in the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL). ALSO READ: Basketball: Players primed to star in the playoffs Henry Mwinuka’s side took the first quarter 22-19, but APR bounced back to claim the second quarter 19-7, opening a nine-point lead at halftime. Returning for the second half, the military side continued to put up a fight which yielded dividends after winning the third quarter 18-14 to take control of the game with a 13-point lead. Patriots bounced back to win fourth quarter 16-13 but it was not enough as APR held on to win game 1 of the series. Besides Nshobozwa’s scoring exploits for APR, fellow players Ntore Habimana and Axel Mpoyo added 14 and 10 points respectively. ALSO READ: Basketball: A look at the teams competing in playoffs For Patriots, Germaine Vashon Roebuck Jr dropped 13 points while Ater Majok and Kenneth Gasana added 12 points each. In the other game, defending champions REG took game 1 of the series after defeating Espoir 85 – 79. The teams return to action in Game 2 of the semi-finals playoffs series on Friday, August 25. The winner from each matchup will advance to the finals, in a best-of-seven format, with a ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) up for grabs for the champions.

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PHOTOS: Playoffs: Nshobozwa posts 20 points as APR beat Patriots in Game 1