Shooting guard Kenneth Gasana and point-guard Guibert Nijimbere combined for a total 31 points as Burundian basketball club New Stars  posted a 83-71 win over South Africa's Cape Town Tigers  on Tuesday, December 7.

The two players feature for Rwandan side Patriots Basketball Club, but since it did not qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2022, they signed to play for New Stars in the qualifiers of the upcoming showpiece.

The match between the Tigers and New Stars was the two sides' first game at the ongoing final round of qualifiers at Wembley Stadium (Johannesburg). 

Cape Town Tigers won the first quarter of the game 22-19, but New Stars bounced back to claim the second quarter 21-14, and went into the first-half break leading on 40- 36 points.

In the second half, Patrick Ngwijuruvugo’s men stamped their authority on the game as they won the third quarter 24-12.

The Tigers won the last quarter 23-19,  but it was not enough to sway the game in their favour.

Gasana contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while Guibert Nijimbere added 11 points.

New Stars will play their second game against Matero Magic of Zambia on Wednesday at 7pm.