Patriots thrash UGB 80-37 to keep top spot in hoops league

Today: MenRusizi vs Espoir 9am WomenUbumwe vs IPRC-South 10am FridayPatriots 80-37 UGBAPR 73-69 IPRC-Kigali StarTimes National Basketball League title hopefuls Patriots thrashed UGB 80-37 on Friday night to maintain their winning streak and top spot after eight games. The win for the 2016 champions over struggling United Generation Basketball, saw them stretch their lead over second-placed Rwanda Energy Group (REG), to three points. Title holders, REG, were scheduled to host IPRC-South on Saturday evening at Amahoro Indoor Stadium. The league, which is resuming from a seven-week break, saw Henry Mwinuke’s Patriots demonstrate once again why they are one of the favourites for the title. Patriots started the game on a high, dominating UGB to take the first quarter 24-10 before extending the lead to 47-20 at half-time. Things never got any easier for youthful UGB in the second-half, losing the third and fourth quarters 20-9 and 13-9 respectively. In another league encounter, arguably the game of the day, record seven-time league champions APR overcame IPRC-Kigali in a hard fought 73-69 win. The military side narrowly claimed the first, second and fourth quarters by 16-13, 20-19 and 17-15 respectively while Albert Buhake’s side took a consolation third quarter 22-20 win. Patriots top the table standings with 15 points with a 7:1 win ratio, followed by APR with 14 points with a 6:2 win ratio. Winless Rusizi are bottom of the eight-team table with 7 points. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Patriots thrash UGB 80-37 to keep top spot in hoops league