Group A Patriots 78-72 GNBC

American power-forward Brandon Costner helped Patriots overcome archrivals Madagascar’s GNBC in a hard-fought 78-72 victory on Wednesday to book a slot in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Basketball Africa League.

The 33-year-old grabbed 16 points and 8 rebounds, Dieudonne Ndizeye added 13 points while Bush Wamukota contributed 11 points.

It was an entertaining and highly competitive game from beginning to end.

The Patriots had to come back from a losing position to overcome GNBC who controlled the opening quarter by winning it 25-19. The hosts responded in the second quarter after going down by double figures early in the period with Brandon Costner and Dieudonne Ndizeye leading the rally.

GNBC started the third quarter with an 8-0 run to stretch the lead to 10 points but Patriots clipped that lead and were within four points (60-56) going into the final quarter.

It took the Patriots three minutes to knot the game at 64 with Kenneth Gasana (8 points) coming to life early in the fourth quarter. A 7-0 run capped by Bush Wamukota’s flash thereafter forced GNBC into a timeout.

The two teams have faced each other before in the second round of the BAL Qualifiers in December 2019, and despite Patriots BC holding a 2-0 head-to-head advantage, those wins were never easy for the Rwandan champions.

Patriot’s basketball stars Steven Hagumintwari, Prince Ibeh, Bush Wamukota and Brandon Costner were pivotal for the reigning champions to overcome GNBC.

Last Sunday, when Patriots beat Nigerian side Rivers Hoopers 83-60 in the opening game, Costner got 20 points, while Dieudonne Nzizeye added 13 and Prince Ibeh made 11.

Patriots will play their last group match against US Monastir in Group A on Saturday night at 9pm.