RWANDA Energy Group (REG) had to dig deep to maintain a perfect start to their Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign following a closely fought 83-81 win over Guinea’s Seydou Legacy Athletique (SLAC) in Dakar, Senegal, on Wednesday evening.

It was the club’s second win. They beat Moroccan side AS Sale 91-87 in their first game on Sunday.

Guard Jean-Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza salvaged the victory for REG on Wednesday. With 7 seconds on the clock, and REG trailing by one point, he thrilled the Dakar Arena with a deep three-pointer to deny SLAC their first win in the competition.

The vital win edged REG closer to securing a ticket to the playoffs, which Rwanda will host in May.

"It was like my last chance and I had to do it,” a visibly excited Nshobobwa said in a post-game interview, noting that "I was trying to play all the game well, and I was like I should do this. I took the risk and it worked out.”

He emphasized that his side needed to win the game because of its importance for their playoffs qualification.

Asked about what goes through his mind when defending with energy, he said: "If I don’t score, I should not allow anyone to score on me. That is the mindset I have. I have to make sure my guard doesn’t score on me and I have to score on him. That is what a good player has to do."

The 23-year-old scored 15 points and made 3 rebounds, in addition to a good defensive display. He was named the MVP of the game.