REG players vie for the ball with Patriots' during the game at BK Arena on Wednesday evening. Patriots Basketball Club beat Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 78-65 to tie the best-of-five finals at 2-2 after game four. All Photos by Dan Nsengiyumva
Patriots Basketball Club marked a crucial comeback as they defeated REG Basketball Club 78-65 in the Game 4 of the playoffs finals at BK Arena on Wednesday evening, September 14.
The Patriots' victory put them in the position of playing the do or die final game on Sunday. The win has brought equal opportunities for both teams to win the title. The most anticipated game five which will decide this season's champion of the playoffs finals, will take place on Sunday, September 18.
The previous three games were tightly contested. The Patriots won the first 75-70, REG bounced back to win the second and third 79-70 and 82-75, respectively. Wednesday's game blessed the Patriots to stun Rwanda Energy group sponsored team 78-65 to tie the best-of-five finals at 2-2 after game 4.
The team that wins the title will represent Rwanda in the Basketball Africa League, an NBA-sponsored competition that attracts clubs from various countries in Africa.
The Newtimes' photographer Dan Nsengiyumva chronicled the game and captured the highlights of the battle.
Patriots player Ntore Habimana in the air as he tries to make points during the game. During Wednesday's encounter, The Patriots showed intent for a comeback from the early stages of the game as they outscored REG in the first two quarters.
Patriots' US based player Ken Gasana with the ball tries to go past REG player. The star shooting guard Kenneth Gasana posted a game-high 18 points that enabled his side to mark an incredible comeback to win the game.
Patriots head coach Bernard 'Ben' Oluoch head coach (Right) and Jean Claude Mukurarinda, the team manager consult each other during the game .
The first quarter ended 14-11 and the second one 27- 10, meaning that by half time, The Patriots had a good 41-22 lead.
REG fans during the first quarter of the game
Patriots' icon finishes off a stylish lay-up during the game. The first quarter ended 14-11 and the second one 27- 10, meaning that by half time, The Patriots had a good 41-22 lead.
Basketball lovers look so surprised to see how Patriots bounced back after two consecutive defeats.
Muyoboke, one of local musicians manager applauding for Patriots after stunning REG at BK Arena
REG's player in the air with the ball finishes off a stylish lay-up during the game at BK Arena. In the second half, REG fought back to win the third quarter 22-15, and drawing the last one 22-22.
A close up image of one of the most prominent tattoos of the playoffs finals
Patriots' player dunks against REG players during the game. During Wednesday's encounter, The Patriots showed intent for a comeback from the early stages of the game as they outscored REG in the first two quarters.
Point guard Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza ,seen here chats with his teammate during the game.
REG player.
During Wednesday's encounter, The Patriots showed intent for a comeback from the early stages of the game as they outscored REG in the first two quarters.
The Patriots' maiden league title came in 2016 after beating their close challengers, Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC-South), 52-45, in the finals.
REG players vie for the ball with Patriots' during the game at BK Arena on Wednesday evening. Patriots Basketball Club beat Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 78-65 to tie the best-of-five finals at 2-2 after game four. All Photos by Dan Nsengiyumva
Patriots Basketball Club, on Wednesday, September 14, beat Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 78-65 to tie the best-of-five finals at 2-2 after game four.
For REG, their first title came in 2017, and the second in 2021.
The game attracted thousands basketball lovers who enjoyed the game from the beginning to end.
The Patriots' star shooting guard Kenneth Gasana posted a game-high 18 points. His compatriots Ntore Habimana and Gray Kendall added 13 and 12 points, respectively, as they made the very crucial comeback into the final series.
The first quarter ended 14-11 and the second one 27- 10, meaning that by half time, The Patriots had a good 41-22 lead. In the second half, REG fought back to win the third quarter 22-15, and drawing the last one 22-22.
Rwanda Energy Group Basketball head coach Henry Mwinuka gives instructions to the team during a break
Patriots head coach Bernard 'Ben' Oluoch head coach gives instructions to his players during the game
Patriots fans cheer on players after beating REG
The playoffs Finals gme 4 took place at BK Arena
The team that wins the cup will represent Rwanda in the Basketball Africa league, an NBA-sponsored competition that attracts clubs from various countries on the continent.
REG supporters look so disappointed after their side lost the Game 4 of the playoffs finals at BK Arena on September 14
Rwanda Energy Group Basketball head coach Henry Mwinuka looks so upset as his players fail to win the game