Steven Havugintwari scored a game high 23 points to help champions Patriots overcome REG 82-78 at Amahoro Stadium on Friday.

The hard-fought victory lifted Henry Mwunuke’s side to 10 points, one adrift of leaders Rwanda Energy Group (REG) who suffered their first defeat in the 2018-19 Bank of Kigali National Basketball League.

The game started in a balanced manner as both teams played a 15-15 first quarter before REG took the second quarter 17-12 to go into half-time with a 32-27 lead.

Patriots bounced back to take the third quarter 24-19 and level the score at 51-51 going into the fourth quarter, which both sides shared 10-10 to force the game into overtime.

The first five-minute overtime also ended with the two teams level at 71-71, which necessitated another overtime that was won by Patriots 11-7, becoming the first team to beat REG since July.

Small forward Havugintwari scored a game-high 23 points while Micheal Makiadi and Junior Kasongo added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Center Kami Kabange and Elie Kaje each dropped 18 points for REG.

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