EAC Military Games: RDF basketball team off to a flying start

WednesdayRwanda 78-64 Tanzania FridayRwanda vs Tanzania 5:30pm SaturdayTanzania vs Kenya 5:30 Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) showed early intent with a 78-64 victory over the Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces (TPDF) in the opening game of the 2016 East Africa Military Sports Games basketball competition played on Wednesday at Amahoro indoor stadium. The hosts dominated from start, taking the first quarter 14-10 but, TPDF got down to business by coming back into the game to lead 23-19. However, RDF later became unstoppable with their eventual highest points scorer Olivier Shyaka, making some rebounds to light the stadium as the both sides went into the break with the host leading 36-33. In the third quarter, the game turned into a close contest, RDF coach brought on Elie Kaje and Parfait Ishimwe for Astride Mugabe and Parfait Ishimwe. Rwanda’s Pacifique Habyarimana pulled off some outstanding moves to shoot a three- pointer as well as 2-pointer to stretch RDF’s lead to 67-61. The defending champions continued to lead in the last five minutes, sealing off the win by a 12 point margin. Shyaka finished with the game high 28 points while Amin Mkosa and teammate Karim Sameh had 21 and 23 respectively for TPDF. In the opening game of the day, Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) defeated the Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) 61-51. The basketball games resume today with RDF battling UPDF, whereas TPDF will be up against on Saturday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw