Today

Men

Third place, Game 1

Espoir                    vs            IPRC-Kigali           4pm

Women’s finals, Game 2

IPRC-South         vs            APR                        6pm

Men’s finals, Game 2

Patriots                vs            REG                        8pm

Friday, Game 1

Men

REG                        82-75     Patriots

Women

APR                        73-44     IPRC-South

Rwanda international Kami Kabange scored a game high 26 points to help treble-chasing Rwanda Energy Group (REG) overcome Patriots 82-75 in a tightly contested Game 1 of the 2017 basketball Playoffs finals on Friday night.

In-front of a fully packed Amahoro Indoors Stadium, the game was played at furious speed with Patriots looking favorites to win but REG refused to give up and had to wait until the final quarter to snatch to victory.

Patriots led for the opening three quarters until REG’s quality helped them through in the fourth quarter and took the lead for the first time on the night with three minutes remaining.

Henry Mwinuke’s Patriots, led by their captain, Aristide Mugabe won the first quarter 19-14 and the second 24-23 to go into half-time with a 43-37 lead.

Coming into second half, REG looked more energized, making less defensive mistakes to steal the third quarter narrowly 21-20 before demolishing Patriots in the final quarter 24-12 hence winning Game 1 82-75.

Kabange ended with a game high 26 points and Benjamin Mukengerwa added 19 points, while REG captain Ally Kubwimana dropped 14 points.

Youngster Sedar Sagamba topped Patriots’ score-sheet with 18 points; Elie Kaje scored 15 whereas Burundi international Jean de Dieu Ntagunduka contributed 12 points.

In the women’s finals, APR easily won Game 1 73-44. Charles Mbazumutima’s ladies took the first quarter 16-11, second quarter 21-9 and the fourth; 22-7, while IPRC- South won the third quarter 17-14.

Patriots host Game 2 today, starting at 8pm at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, while APR takes on IPRC-South in Game 2 of the women’s finals.