Friday Patriots 64-77 REG Tigers 102-97 Espoir Power forward Beleck Bell Engelbert scored a team-high 18 points as Rwanda Energy Group (REG) overcame a nine-point deficit in the first quarter to beat Patriots 77-64 on Friday night at Amahoro Stadium. This was the first time the two heavyweights faced off in the BK Basketball National League since Tanzania-born tactician Henry Mwinuka ended his four-year stint with Patriots to join REG last November. REG were down 23-14 at the end of the first quarter but, inspired by Belleck, they quickly fought back to dominate the second quarter 30-9 as they went into halftime with a 44-32 lead. Patriots responded with a narrow 20-17 advantage in the third quarter, but resurgent REG took the game away with a 17-12 fourth quarter despite Patriots’ Steven Hagumintwari positing a game high 20 points. After Friday night’s upset, two-time reigning champions Patriots have now endured two defeats after four games, while REG are still unbeaten.
