PHOTOS: Sangwa scores career high 35 points as Espoir beat REG

Friday nightAPR 73-67 UGBREG 77-100 Espoir Youngster Armel Sangwe scored a career high 35 points as Espoir pulled off a stunning 100-77 win over defending champions Rwanda Energy Group on Friday night at Amahoro Indoor Stadium. It was a memorable night for the former champions, but a nightmare for the champions, who had hoped for a routine win, given that Espoir have struggled for wins this season. Friday’s victory, improved Espoir’s win ratio to 3:3 while Cyrille Kalima’s REG dropped to 4:2 after six game rounds. Maxime Mwiseneza’s Espoir, who came into the game as the underdogs, controlled the game from start, winning the first quarter 22-16 before stretching the lead to 45-32 going into half-time break. The Nyamirambo-based team returned for the second half, even sharper and took the third quarter 34-24 before both sides played a 21-all final quarter. It was REG’s worst defeat in any competition since the club was created in mid-2016. Espoir also became the second league side to beat REG this season after Patriots a fortnight ago. Forward Sangwe scored a game high and also his career high 35 points, Pascal Niyonkuru added 17 points while Regis Gatoto contributed 15 points to Espoir’s massive win, their biggest of the season. Rwanda internationals Kami Kabange and Walter Nkurunziza posted 18 points each for REG while Olivier Shyaka contributed 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. In the first game of the night, saw another former champions APR defeat youthful United Generation Basketball Club (UGB) 73-67. Bienvenue Ngandu of REG controls the ball against Gatoto during the game. ESPOIR BBC stunned REG 100-77 during the clash. ESPOIR player Sangwe #3 goes up for the layup against REG on Friday. ESPOIR players celebrate the crucial victory 100-77 against the champion REG. Niyonkuru #35 of ESPOIR finishes off a stylish lay-up during a game against REG. Nkurunziza #0 of REG dunks against ESPOIR during the game at Amahoro indoor Stadium on Friday. Nkurunziza of REG goes up for a shot against ESPOIR. Nkurunziza, of REG , finishes off a stylish lay-up during a game against ESPOIR on Friday. Olivier Shyaka drives to the basket in front of Gatoto #9 of ESPOIR in the first period during the game at Amahoro Stadium. Olivier Shyaka of REG controls the ball against Kazeneza as Kami Kabange #20 looks on during the match. REGs Bienvenue Ngandu seen here chats with his teammates as his side lost the game 77- 100 of ESPOIR on Friday. REGs Kami Kabange #20, Nkuruziza #0 and Shyaka #0 talk one another during the match. REGs Kami Kabange tries to go up to make points during the game. Espoir players during the match. Espoir players lift up Sangwe who scored 35 points as they celebrate the victory. ESPOIRs Sangwe wins high points 35 during the match. REGs Icyishatse goes up to try points during the game. Espoirs Niyonkuru shoots the ball during the game against the REG on Friday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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PHOTOS: Sangwa scores career high 35 points as Espoir beat REG