Sunday: MenRusizi 59-69 Espoir

WomenUbumwe 70-66 IPRC-South

Saturday: MenREG 97-67 IPRC-South

WomenThe Hoops 63-59 APRU18 Team 64-78 IPRC-South

Youngster Armel Sangwe scored a game high 20 points to help former champions Espoir overcome Rusizi 69-59 in Match-day 8 of StarTimes National Basketball League on Sunday.

The away victory for Maxime Mwiseneza’s team at Gihundwe basketball courts in Rusizi, improved their win ratio to 4:4.

The game started in a balanced manner as both teams played a 15-all draw in the first quarter before Espoir took the second quarter 19-14 to go into half-time with a 34-29 lead.

Nyamirambo-based Espoir continued their dominance winning the third quarter 17-8, but Rusizi fought back in the final quarter which they narrowly claimed 22-18. However, it was not enough to spare them a fifth home defeat of the season.

Sangwe, 17, scored 20 points and contributed 2 assists for Espoir while Pascal Niyonkuru and Regis Gatoto added 16 and 12 points respectively.

Point-guard Samuel Niyonshuti (18), small-forward Eric Shyaka (16) and center Alphonse Uwimana (10) combined for 44 points for winless Rusizi, who remain bottom of the league table with 8 points.

On Saturday, holders Rwanda Energy Group (REG) beat IPRC-South 97-67 to move close to Patriots, who top the table standing with 15 points.

In women’s league, The Hoops Rwanda stunned reigning champions APR 63-59 on Saturday whereas U18 National Team lost 64-78 against IPRC-South.

Ubumwe, the 2015 champions, overcame IPRC-South 70-66 on Sunday. IPRC-South’s Rwanda international Nicole Urwibutso scored a game high 30 points.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw